STL Cardinals hold Military Appreciation Day

By Ms. Kyrene Resel (Leonard Wood)September 18, 2014

STL Cardinals hold Military Appreciation Day
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A 40-Soldier flag detail comprised of units from Fort Leonard Wood, displays a flag, as the Fort Leonard Wood Color Guard presents the colors on the field and the 399th Army Band, pictured on the scoreboard, plays the National Anthem during pre-game ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
STL Cardinals hold Military Appreciation Day
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
STL Cardinals hold Military Appreciation Day
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Nearly 2,000 service members and their Families were present Saturday at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, to participate in the 21st annual St. Louis Cardinals Military Appreciation Game and tailgate party.

The Association of the United States Army hosted a tailgate that featured the USO of Missouri, the National Park Service and several other organizations that were there to show their support.

"The St. Louis chapter is responsible for the throwing of the tailgate party, and the Fort Wood chapter is responsible for the logistics of getting everyone from here to there," said Roger Layman, the Fort Leonard Wood AUSA chapter coordinator for the event. "This event is good exposure for Fort Leonard Wood, Scott Air Force Base and AUSA."

AUSA served up pulled pork sandwiches, chips and beverages to service members and their Families at the tailgate.

"It's awesome that an organization cares enough about Soldiers that they stop and say 'thank you,'" said Staff Sgt. Clayton Yantis, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.

"As for my Family…baseball is an American tradition, and this tradition allows us to attend the games with our Families. By saying 'thank you' … it makes our Families feel like they are a part of something. Sometimes, military Families need a thank you once in awhile, too," Yantis said.

Fort Leonard Wood was represented on the field, with a 40-person flag detail, the Fort Leonard Wood Color Guard and the 399th Army Band, which played the National Anthem.

For Pvt. Kyle Jones, of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence, helping with the flag detail made it a night that he won't soon forget.

"It was a great honor. It really showed me how much Americans appreciate the work that we do. I honestly enjoyed the appreciation that the crowd showed all of the Soldiers and myself," Jones said.

Leaders from both Fort Leonard Wood and Scott Air Force Base were in attendance on Saturday night.

Representing Fort Leonard Wood were Maj. Gen. Leslie Smith, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, and Command Sgt. Maj. Terrance Murphy, MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood command sergeant major. Representing Scott Air Force Base was Maj. Gen. David Clarkson, U.S. Transportation Command chief of staff, Scott Air Force Base.

"The community is very important to us, and without them we couldn't do what we do," Murphy said. " One of my favorite phrases is that 'we stood on the shoulders of the giants who came before us,' and a lot of those in the community who have come before us have served, and those who didn't serve appreciate us."

Smith and Clarkson threw out ceremonial first pitches.

"The amount of support we receive in this part of the country and from this organization is unique, and we don't take it for granted," Smith said. "Events like this show the amount of support and outreach that is showed to our military members. It doesn't exist in every place, and it really means a lot to our entire team."

The night ended with the Saint Louis Cardinals beating the Colorado Rockies, 5-4.

Related Links:

Fort Leonard Wood GUIDON Newspaper

Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood