Maj. Gen. Pete Johnson, Army Training Center and Fort Jackson commander, steps into a pitch as he tosses a ceremonial first pitch during pre-game ceremonies prior to the Lexington Blowfish's Military Appreciation Day baseball game against the Savanna...
When Pvt. Jacquerie Prater from Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment fired a heater June 17, he would have hit the batter had he been throwing a pitch -- but he was only having fun at a booth during the Lexington Blowfish's Military Appreciation Day game at the Lexington County Baseball Field.
The Blowfish would lose to the Savannah Bananas 11-7.
Prater, who will be graduating from Basic Combat Training this week, said he and the rest of the Soldiers were having a "blast" at the game.
"We are all excited" to be able to take in a baseball game and relax from the rigors of basic training, said the former infantryman who will be heading to Fort Sam Houston to train as a combat medic. "It takes away the burden and stress."
The Military Appreciation Day game was put on through a joint effort of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, the Lexington Chamber of Commerce and the ball club.
"We are honored to be saluting Fort Jackson and our Soldiers," said Susan McPherson with the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. It is "absolutely critical" to pay homage to our nation's Service members, she added.
"They do a yeoman's job of protecting and serving us," she said. "So everything we can do to recognize them, salute them, and let them know how much we appreciate them and love them."
Retired Maj. Gen. George Goldsmith, a former commander at Fort Jackson, echoed McPherson's comments during the opening prayer for the game when he said, "we understand the sacrifices and the things they have to give up to serve this country.
"When you look around the stadium, we see all these young men and women who just signed up" to serve their country.
Maj. Gen. Pete Johnson, Fort Jackson commander, thanked those who set up the event while lauding the installation's partnership with the Midlands.
"What we have enjoyed for 100 years is an incredible partnership with the communities around Fort Jackson," he said.
The Blowfish and Bananas play in the amateur Coastal Plain League, where some college ball players play during the off season.
Soldiers and civilians at the game witnessed Johnson throw out a ceremonial first pitch, the 2-60th color guard present the flag, while Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Smith from the 282nd Army Band sang the National Anthem. Johnson and Staff Sgt. Corey Irwin, Fort Jackson's Drill Sergeant of the Year, and Spc. Kiara Dale, the post's Soldier of the Year, cut a cake celebrating the post's centennial.
"This is good," he added. I didn't "do anything like this the first time."
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