Honor, Courage, Commitment- Sanford Military Night- a Look Back
July 18, 2014 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Sanford Mainers News Release
These are the three values of the Marine Corps and on July 1st at Goodall Park that honor, courage and commitment was on display. A nigh of patriotism was set forth with a spirited ceremony to honor our veterans and enlisted soldiers of our armed forces. The Patriot Riders drove around the warning track to begin what would be a memorable ceremony. United States Navy Commander, Justin Long, who has conducted swearing-in ceremonies at such immaculate venues as Fenway Park, joined us to swear in soldiers from four branches of the military.
American Veterans representing the Army, Air-Force, Marines and Navy were welcomed through a tunnel of Mainers players on to the diamond as this was their night to be honored by the town that respects them and loves them. It certainly set the stage for an outstanding baseball game!
An emotional moment took place when three pens were given as gifts to the three World War II veterans that joined in the celebration, these were special pens, as they were made from a piece of a broken bat from Mainers outfielder Matt Pagano. T.J. Farley, pen creator and one of the organizers of this event, mentioned to me that they wanted them to have something to take home with them as a token of our appreciation knowing that nothing we could give them would really be good enough considering all that they have given to us as a nation.
Farley; a husband of a Naval Captain going into her 20th year in the Navy, has a passion for the military and was a big part of putting this event together that went off fantastically with the fans packing Goodall Park for the second night in a row!
Each of the first pitches was thrown for strikes and the AMVETS color guard brought out the American colors. Each of the following represented 4 branches of the Military and threw out a first pitch Army Ssg. Warren, Navy Petty Officer Riegel, Air Force Msgt. Thibodeau, and Marine Sgt. Gagne will represent our active duty and future soldiers along with Charlie Chasse and Adam Sawyer representing our Veterans!
It was an exciting night for the Mainers, as well as the city of Sanford as we honored our troops! The Mainers baseball team did not disappoint as they walked away with a 6-4 victory over the Danbury Westerners. The Moose have won 8 in a row and are a game and a-half back of first place in the Northern Division of the NECBL. This year's team has a ton of grit and determination along with solid pitching and are a must see in Sanford!
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from July 18, 2014
- Keene drops their third straight game, falls 7-2 to Vermont - Keene Swamp Bats
- Mainers get back to winning form - Sanford Mainers
- Mountaineers defeat Keene - Vermont Mountaineers
- Errors Doom Blue Sox in 7-0 Loss to Mainers - Valley Blue Sox
- Honor, Courage, Commitment- Sanford Military Night- a Look Back - Sanford Mainers
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