Memorial Day had such a wonderful ending this year. As many of you know, Randy (Chris's brother) is the voice of the Shorebirds. The Shorebirds are the minor league baseball team to the Baltimore Orioles. So we are big fans of the Shorebirds!
On Monday morning, Randy called with the news that Luke could throw out the first pitch of the game that evening! The second I told Luke he was beyond excited! In fact, that's about all he could talk about the whole day!
We practiced a little that afternoon...and I think all of us were wondering how the pitch would actually go. I was just hoping he'd get out there and give that ball a good throw...but there were also images of him running away...falling down crying...throwing the ball with his mitt... running through my head too. =)
Finally the time arrived that we could leave for the ballpark. It was spitting rain, so we were hoping that there would be no rain delays. We got there found out where to go and took our places at the side of the field. Luke was in awe of the baseball players - and they were all really nice to him.
This game also happened to be the first game that Luke Scott (the Baltimore Orioles baseball player who is currently rehabbing right now) was playing with the Shorebirds this season. Though we didn't get to meet him, it was pretty cool that our Luke was participating in the same game as that Luke Scott was.
So, the game begins and Luke is called out to the field. The player catching the ball was Oliver Drake who attended the Naval Academy. Which was pretty cool since it was Memorial Day.
I followed Luke out just to help him if he needed. We got out there, got the go ahead - I reminded Luke to throw it with his hand and not the glove - and he threw it with no problems! He was so proud of himself - and we were all super proud of him too! Oliver Drake signed the baseball and took a picture with him - he was so nice to Luke! It was a really really awesome experience!
So a HUGE thank you to Uncle Randy and the Shorebirds for making this happen. It was an incredibly memorable moment!
Here's footage and pictures from the game (updated):
I also want to say a big Thank You to all the service members and families out there. Your sacrifice, pride, hard work, endurance and love of country is appreciated more than words can even speak.
In thinking about Memorial Day, three distinct individuals immediately came to mind. Though none of these men lost their lives in the line of duty - they all serve(d) with extreme pride.
Robert W.
This is my grandfather. He was drafted into the Army in 1944 at age 22. He was married to my grandmother, Mildred and had one son, Larry, at home - and one on the way, Jackie, at the time. He was shipped off to Germany where he served mostly as a radio operator for ground missions. He had extreme pride in his country and saw the need to serve and protect. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946 because of a severe case of frozen feet (which he got while fighting in a foxhole in the brutal cold weather.)
David A.
This is Chris' grandfather. He was drafted into the Army in 1943 at age 18 (while a junior in high school!) He met his future wife, Nina in the states while training before being shipped off to the South Pacific. He was a radio operator for the B25 Bombers. Though he missed his family and sweetheart tremendously, he had extreme pride in serving his country. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1945.
Chris S.
This is my husband. He was commissioned into the Army in 2002 and is currently serving today. He has served two deployments to Iraq. He is a Signal Officer (how interesting that all three served in communications!!) and though he initially went in hoping for a career in Armor (tanks and such) he has made a fantastic Commo guy! From a very young age he had a desire and passion to serve in the military. He has been very proud to serve his country.
This is just a glimpse into the military accomplishments of these three incredible men. I hope to bring you more detailed posts about each of them in the future. I guess I just felt compelled to post this in honor of the service that has been given by each of them.
So, as I reflect upon the reasons why we celebrate Memorial Day, I am so incredibly grateful for the men and women who have given their lives, who have served and are currently serving and for the future service members who will continue to carry on the fight for freedom. Thank You!
Have a wonderful Memorial Day!
A few weeks ago, I took this video of Luke watching the video footage of Chris's R&R homecoming. It's hard to see what Luke is doing here (sorry the video is so dark and huey (if that's even a real word!), the room was dark so you'll have to look close at the bottom of the screen to see where Luke is standing), but at one point he tries to kiss Chris through the screen and then reaches his arms up either for a hug or to be held by daddy. He misses his daddy so much. These two have always had an incredibly close and special bond. They are truly two peas in a pod.
Though Luke has handled the deployment well, it's moments like these that break my heart in half. And yet - though it's very sad - it's also very encouraging. Luke is young - but he has never forgotten how special his daddy is. To see how much he longs to reach through the TV and hug and kiss daddy just goes to show that their bond is stronger than the time they will have spent apart - which when all is said and done will be about 17-18 months.
Thankfully we had R&R and will have a few days together this summer. Then come fall, we'll be back together as a family. How I long for that! Life just seems incredibly incomplete with Chris away.
Anyway, I don't know why I felt like sharing this video tonight, but here it is nonetheless! =)
If you think of it, say a prayer for military families. Especially for those who have been affected by the happenings of today in Baghdad.
I have so much to blog about and lots of pictures to post, but it'll have to wait for another time. It's time for bed!
