HULMAN FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ind. — Summer time usually conjures up thoughts of cook outs, lemonade, ice cream, and of course, baseball.
The “Boys of Summer” were definitely on the minds of members of the 181st Intelligence Wing on Friday, June 27, 2014, during Military Appreciation night at Sycamore Stadium and Bob Warn Field where the Prospect League’s, Terre Haute Rex play Baseball.
Who better to throw out the first pitch of the game than Col. Donald Bonte Jr. Terre Haute native and Commander of the 181st Intelligence Wing?
“It’s an honor to be here and to give thanks back to the community that supports us so well,” stated Bonte.
Bonte walked the field during warm-up talking with Terre Haute Rex players, little league players, and stood on the third base line for the playing of the national anthem.
“It’s an awesome organization to have in Terre Haute and it’s a great outing for families,” stated Bonte, “and for us Racers this is a humbling example of community support to our Wing.”
The game was free to all military personnel and featured a fly over from a World War II Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor plane.
This was all possible thanks to the Terre Haute Rex organization especially Bruce Rosselli, part owner and general manager.
“We want to let people know that we appreciate the efforts that the armed forces provide the United States,” stated Rosselli.
Rosselli, whose father was in the Air Force, has a strong military background growing up near Lackland and Wright Patterson Air Force bases.
“There’s a great relationship between the community, the 181st Intelligence Wing and the military,” stated Rosselli. “We want to make sure that young people know what the flag means and what the military does for our country.”
Rosselli and the Terre Haute Rex organization put on a great display for Military Appreciation night, with a C-45 fly over, the American Legion presenting the Colors, and Bonte tossing the first pitch.
Baseball is America’s game, but without the military, we don’t have that, we don’t have that freedom,” stated Rosselli.
Patriotism and America’s Past time made it a great night to live in the land of the free.