Baseball fans get opportunity of a lifetime

By Staff Sgt. Kelly S Malone (Leonard Wood)October 15, 2015

Baseball fans get opportunity of a lifetime
Fort Leonard Wood's Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Noncommissioned Officers Academy and Soldiers from various units carry the national colors and unfurl a flag in center field during the St. Louis Cardinals' opening ceremony at the National Le... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

There they were in center field at St. Louis' Busch Stadium, moments before the National League Division Series was set to begin.

There was a problem -- a problem the fans could not see.

A rivalry lurked amidst the Fort Leonard Wood military color guard as, side-by-side, they marched across the grass, dressed in blue to carry their national flag.

Secretly, their minds were thinking of different colors -- their favorite team's colors.

Three of the five Soldiers, hailing from Missouri, were Cardinals fans; one was a Cubs fan from Illinois.

The Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Noncommissioned Officers Academy Color Guard participated in the opening ceremonies when the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs squared off Friday.

"It's pretty awesome to be standing here in front of everybody, especially to be on national TV," said Staff Sgt. William Norris, drill sergeant, Company E, 701st Military Police Battalion, and an admitted Cardinals fan. "It's an amazing feeling to be selected to be here."

Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Williams, NCOA, instructor for engineer Senior Leader Course, brought his Family to make it a Family affair.

"My brother flew in from Joint Base Lewis-McCord (Washington) and my sister came down from Illinois to be here," he said "We want to cheer on the Cubbies as a Family, and we're hoping for a victory."

Another "Red Bird" fan said he grew up as a Cardinal fan.

"It's like a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to actually be on the field," said Staff Sgt. Nathan Henry, NCOA instructor. "I grew up watching and coming to the old stadium, so this is awesome for me."

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