Military heroes night at the ballpark
Palm Beach Post (Florida)
June 23, 2007 Saturday
FINAL EDITION
BYLINE: By ALEJANDRA CANCINO Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
SECTION: LOCAL; Pg. 1B
LENGTH: 285 words
DATELINE: JUPITER
Jack Clift joined the Army so he can afford to go to college and study business. T’Shane Williams joined because she wants to have a concrete future, and Ryan Partington did so to build a solid background when he later applies to the FBI or CIA.
The three recruits and nine others were sworn into the Army in front of more than 2,000 people on Friday, as part of Military Heroes Night at Roger Dean Stadium.
Some will leave early next week for basic training; others are looking forward to enjoying the rest of the summer before they begin their senior year in high school.
They stood near the catcher’s plate under a blue sky and swore to protect their Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
In 90-degree heat, they were sweaty - not nervous, said Partington, 17.
In the stands next to his mom, Jake Sullivan, 10, said he likes soldiers because “they help the country in a lot of ways.”
Tom Buck, 45, said the children in this country are safe because of soldiers like these and said they should be recognized more often.
“These guys and girls decide to go (into the Army) to secure our safety and freedom.”
Earlier, while the recruits rehearsed their presentation, people waiting to get into the stadium took pictures in front of a Huey military helicopter on display for the night.
“She looks good,” said Gen. Wayne Jackson, 74, a pilot who flew a similar helicopter during the Korean War.
Jackson threw the honorary first pitch in the game between the Jupiter Hammerheads and the Palm Beach Cardinals.
The recruits left the field after the national anthem. Some returned home; others left for a party.
“I felt accomplished,” said Williams, 18, on her way out of the stadium.