Air Force participates in major league game

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Monique Randolph
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  It was not unusual for the players, coaches or umpires at Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball team. It was nothing new for the Honor Guard Airmen who carried the Colors behind home plate -- they've done it several times before.

But it was a first for the ten recruits who raised their hands and pledged to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. It was a first for the senior airman who threw the ceremonial opening pitch. It was a first for the master sergeant and nine Airmen who participated in the starting line up. And it was a first for the staff sergeant who made the anticipated announcement, "Let's play ball!"

For the 12 Airmen selected to take part in the Air Force appreciation game between the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves, August 29 was a night to remember.

"The Washington Nationals are showing their support for the great service men and women -- Airmen -- who are serving their country," said Maj. Gen. William Chambers, director of communication for the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. "They're honoring them tonight, and dedicating an entire game to the United States Air Force.

"This is a pleasure and a real privilege," he said. "I'm a huge baseball fan, and I'm a fan of Airmen. So (when) the two things come together, it's a great opportunity to say thanks to America for their support and to thank Airmen for their service."

Before thousands of baseball fans in the stands, General Chambers opened the event with the oath of enlistment for 10 Air Force recruits. Following the swearing-in ceremony, Lt. Col. Katherine Strus, director of military personnel for the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency in Bethesda, Md., sang "The Star-Spangled Banner."

"There is nothing more incredible than singing the national anthem wearing the Air Force uniform," the colonel said. "I just feel blessed every time someone extends the invitation. I've had more incredible experiences than I could ever have imagined because I'm in the Air Force, and this is just one way of giving back."

While Colonel Strus has sung the anthem more than 100 times, including base and local community events around the country, this time was no less significant to her.

"I consider these recruiting trips -- an opportunity to show people there's a different side to (military) service," she said. "Although we wear this uniform, we're still people, and this is our job. I love what I do, and maybe this will encourage someone else to consider service in the Air Force."

In previous years, the Nationals held a military appreciation night at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., honoring all the military service. This was the first time they held an event especially for the Air Force at their new stadium.

Senior Airman Joshua Higby, who recently returned from a nine-month deployment to Baghdad, Iraq, threw the ceremonial first pitch.

"I was nervous at first, but I was also proud to be out there representing the Air Force, letting people know that the Air Force is not just in the background or flying planes," said the Airman Higby, a communications specialist with the Air Force Central Adjudication Facility at the Pentagon. "We're out there with the other services on the ground."

Of his pitch, Airmen Higby said, "I know I did a good job. I made it to the plate, so that's all that matters."