The third annual Veterans Day Classic Softball Tournament was a smash hit. Fifty-five resident veterans took to the baseline pathways for opening ceremonies led by Steve Petty, captain, US Army, retired and members of the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard parading the colors onto the infield for the playing of the National Anthem and tossing of the ceremonial first pitch by Charles Calhoun, president of the Veterans Club.
A solemn moment was taken for a Quilts of Valor presentation. Dating back to 2003, the Quilts of Valor Foundation (a grassroots group of quilters from across the United States of America) has awarded well over 380,000 Quilts of Valor to war-touched service members and veterans worldwide. Like snowflakes, no two quilts are alike – such were the caring hands of Whitney Rearick as she dedicated every stitch to crafting these hand-sewn masterpieces, conveying sincere appreciation and thanks for service, sacrifice, and valor.
On Nov. 9, 2024, Whitney, herself a veteran, presented Quilts of Valor honors to four resident veterans: US Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeff Thomas 1965-1968 Vietnam Vet, US Marine Sergeant Wayne Kiser Vietnam Vet 1972-1976 and Afghanistan War Vet 2009-2012, US Army Specialist Jimmy Huff 1954-1956 Cold War Vet, and US Air Force Captain (Retired) Pete Feliciano 1974-2001 Vietnam Era and Gulf War Era Veteran.
Many thanks to our sponsors, Recreation Center staff, grounds people, maintenance teams, and Colen Built staff for all their hard work and leadership. Additional thanks to our behind-the-scenes personnel, such as Softball Club member volunteers, groundskeeping volunteers, press box staff, and critical care nursing volunteers, who ensured that the tournament infrastructure was geared for success. High five to our friends from Ashford for gracing the event with a Veterans Day 30 golf cart parade salute motorcade.
Over 200 spectators joined us to cheer on their favorite military branch of service, watch a cheer squad presentation by the Poms Cheer & Dance Squad, enjoy food truck delicacies, cooled off eating some Mr. B’s Big Scoop Ice Cream, admire home run derby participants Chuck King win the most homers hit award, and Dave Emmons win the longest home run hit, while others shot selfies in the battle-tested vintage “Wartime Jeep by Mike Soltis.”
After seven innings of tireless softball play, Game one ended with the Air Force (USAF) victorious over the Army. Now came the “nail-biting” game two, whereby the Navy would succumb to the Warriors’ tenacity to rally and win the match. Now, the table was set for the Warriors to challenge the incumbent USAF team in a knock-out match for the championship. Downed to their last out in the bottom of the seventh inning, USAF would win the championship game as Rob Iraci would cross the plate, scoring the winning run resulting from a walk-off clutch hit by Dave Rearick.
Culminating this Veterans Day celebration was a special visit from the Honorable Mr. Kenneth Colen, who presented the coveted captain’s championship trophy to team Air Force for their third consecutive tournament victory.
Author: Pete Feliciano
Photo Credit: Jerry Weage
