Wednesday, April 20, 2011

On the Field

I got an e-mail from our FRG and at the end, it had information on a Military Appreciation Day at NC State's baseball game. It also said that about 20 military kids could have a chance to run out on the field with the players to be recognized as a group. I immediately e-mailed the information required and then got a confirmation e-mail a couple of weeks later. Austin was so excited!The night before the game, I found out that this was supposed to be much bigger than just the kids running out and the military getting in for free. There was a helicopter on site for people to see, free lunch for Soldiers and their Families and free camo shirts given out as you walked into the game.
The game ball was brought in by paratroopers and the first pitch was thrown by Col. Martin Schweitzer of Fort Bragg’s 82nd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. There were several military groups honored and it was just an all-around great thing done for our military!
I think Austin was a little nervous when the kids all lined up before leaving us parents and going down on the field. He looked nervous, but said he wasn't. They lined up and walked around the field waving to everyone, then they stood in a line and waited for things to happen. The team went down the line, giving high fives and then one of the paratroopers did the same.

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Finally, it was time to run out to the pre-selected spot for his group.
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Waiting for the National Anthem to play. He even took off his hat. This was right before he put his hand over his heart...I think they prepped them to make sure they did it right (hat off, quiet and hand over heart). He did great!
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He was right behind 2nd base and afterwards said that he saw that he was on the "big screen." Luckily, I took a picture of it as well. :-)
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We had great seats since I upgraded by paying a few dollars. I knew I wouldn't be able to handle the crowded seats in general seating with our 3 boys. It turned out to be a wise decision. We sat in our seats for a bit, but then Colten started getting antsy. I decided it was time to walk around and get something to eat. I went out and got the stroller, put Aiden in it and got the boys popcorn and ice cream. I decided that we should just stand behind the seats where the handicap spots were and asked if it was ok in one spot. The usher asked the older couple sitting in the seats if it was alright and they started talking to us and even offered Austin the seat next to them.
This spot worked GREAT and the boys watched the game so well from here. The couple was really nice, as was the usher, who talked to us quite a bit. I realized at some point that the older couple was the people the park was named after...they had given more than $3 million to help renovate. What wonderful people...seriously, they put up with my kids and seemed to enjoy it at that!

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Colten with his ice cream! He did MUCH better in this spot!
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We lasted until the 7th inning when a bee started flying around and freaking Austin out. Colten was starting to get a little rambunctious as well, so I said we'd go look at the helicopter and then go home. They really liked this part and were happy to be able to look at all the stuff in the helicopter!
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A HUGE thanks to NC State Wolfpack Baseball team, the NC chapter of Operation: Military Kids, the NC State Army ROTC program, Curtis and Jaqueline Dail and anyone else who made this day possible! My boys had a blast and it was awesome to see them having a great day!

1 comment:

Julia Ladewski said...

ok wow!!!! Colton is soooo big!!! and that looks like soooo much fun!! What a special thing for Austin!!

And about the gluten expo... i'm soooo glad it helped someone out!! i hope your friends can make it to the one in TX. my friend was dealing with tummy issues for 4 years before they found out!! so glad these resources are available now!!