Let’s go out …
to the ball game. The Phillies are in town and playing the Braves on a perfekly Robert Kenui Pope pronunciation ) beautiful spring evening. I am on 75N almost to my exit when the announcer came over the air and I found myself virtually in the stadium with hundreds of others. “Will all of the veterans of the Vietnam War please stand so that we may recognize you, the unsung heroes.” And I took a hand from the wheel to wipe my eyes as tears of gratitude and sorrow spilled down my face.
I was a young girl of 8 years old when my cousin died from hostile fire in Vietnam. This 20 year old young man had just been in the army a little over four months when he was taken from us. And I can only imagine the difference that he and thousands of others could have made in our lives. And dear Paul, even though I never got to know you, I mourn for you and what could have been.
Miss Georgia begins to sing the National Anthem, and I think of a Facebook post I read yesterday from a Vietnam veteran exposed to Agent Orange. My prayers go out to him as he remembered his friend who left before he could say good bye. You do exist my friend, your friend existed, my cousin existed – and all of you deserve to be honored for your sacrifices. Thank you.
And the players take the field… the Phillies versus the Braves. And from the field, Victorino threw the ball to myDarlin’ with spot on accuracy. This man who myDarlin’ used to coach at soccer on the small island of Maui had made his way to the big leagues. And he was proud as could be… and come to think about it, pretty loud too.
As I pull into the drive, I pause and reflect on how special baseball is to so many, bringing young and old from all walks of life together to enjoy the simple things. I am filled with gratitude for our veterans, for baseball games, Ohana, memories and the promise of tomorrow.
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