The US Military All-Stars would like to share some thoughts:

What a honor it was to grill hamburgers for the All-Stars at the VGSA softball complex in Vancouver, WA. These men were true gentlemen and it showed with their presence at the complex. Rain and thunder and lighting halted the games and several players commented that they really wanted to watch the young ladies play softball. But, they mingled with the teams and Im sure made a great impression with the girls. Good luck to the team for the rest of there tour. Bill Ritchie

Thank you from the Dodge family

Hi Tom,
I wanted to thank you guys so much for being our buddies today.
Thank you for your service and for your incredible hearts and examples to our youth!
Our boys very much appreciated you playing with us today.
We will see you guys Wednesday!

What Dreams are Made Of

My husband, John, and I decided to take our 8 year old son, Keegan, to opening night for the Forest City Owls in Forest City, NC. After looking at their website and seeing the advertisement of the exhibition game against the US National Military All-Stars I figured it would be a great way to spend some family time on a hot Memorial Day. We started the 30 minute drive to the stadium and Keegan was already excited about seeing some baseball! Keegan started playing baseball when he was 4 and has a genuine love for the game. He practices hard and always seems to find a way to incorporate baseball into almost everything.

Once we arrived at the stadium and got our tickets Keegan was in a foot race to get to our normal seats. We have taken Keegan to several games before and he always wants to sit on the visitor side in the foul ball section to the right of the visitor dugout. At the Owls stadium there are nice lawn chairs in that section that are first come first serve. We were lucky enough to get the last three remaining chairs for this game. Keegan picked his seat, the farthest away, and sat down with his ball glove. See, those seats aren’t the greatest seats in the house. The sun shines directly in your eyes for the first hour or so of the game and it’s nearly impossible to get a good view of home plate. None the less, that’s where he chooses to sit, just in case a foul ball comes that way he’ll be close enough to grab one before the game ends. This game was like all the others to him, the end goal: return home with a foul ball.

The pregame ceremonies were beautiful and getting to watch the team in formation was astounding. As the ceremonies ended the players began to flood the dugout. Keegan was already on his feet at the fence, just waiting for the game to start. You never know, that first pitch could lead to a foul ball off the third base line. Several of the All-Stars walked past Keegan on their way into the dugout. Most spoke to him in some way or at least offered a bright smile. I couldn’t help but notice his face as those players walked by him. He stared in adoration at each and every one of them. I was certain they appeared as living heroes to him. Keegan has been raised to honor and respect all those that serve, past or present, on the home front or overseas. After all his own father has protected and served for 18 years with the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office. So here he was, looking at these grown men that serve our country, in awesome camouflage uniforms, and GET TO PLAY BASEBALL!! That glow I saw in my son’s eye, THAT’S WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF!

The last few players were trickling into the dugout when I saw one of them approaching the fence at Keegan. “You ready for a ballgame buddy?” the player asked. “Yes, sir!” Keegan responded. “I want to catch a foul ball!” The player smiled a huge smile and disappeared down the dugout stairs. A few moments past and the player returned. “Would you like to hang out in the dugout with us and then help me warm up in left field between innings?” He asked. Keegan spun around and looked at John and me with a huge, semi toothless smile. Another team member, I’m assuming the manager, walked up and told the player he would have to find Keegan a helmet and that Keegan would have to wear it the entire game. Both John and I nodded with our consent and John walked him to the stairs of the dugout.

Keegan was grinning ear to ear as he stepped foot onto that field. I saw him look down at the perfectly manicured sand and grass as he stepped in. It was so different from the peewee fields he’s played on. The dark brown sand, bright green grass and perfectly straight, bright white foul lines that seem to stretch for miles. Keegan reached out and shook the hand of the #17 introducing himself. The player placed a batting helmet, at least four sizes too big on Keegan’s head and they disappeared into the dugout. As I sat back down in my seat I couldn’t help but think THAT’S WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF!

The US Military All-Stars were first to bat and I noticed immediately that the #17 was the starting hitter. As he walked to the plate I had a worried mommy moment and leaned over to John and asked “Do you think Keegan is ok down there in the dugout?” I mean, he is my only son and at this point I couldn’t see him at all. John looked at me and said “He’s in a dugout with a bunch of young service men. How much safer could he be?” I laughed and quickly shook my head in an attempt to rattle my mommy fears out either of my ears. The first three outs seemed to come quick and it was time for the All-Stars to take the field. #17 jogged out the exit of the dugout headed to left field, about 10 feet behind him, just barely able to keep up with his shadow was Keegan. Glove in hand and oversized helmet on his head he was headed for left field, during an actual game! I clapped and said “Go Keegan!” but he didn’t even look my way. I had seen that look before, it was go time and he had his game face on! I sat and watched as he threw the ball back and forth to #17. Seemingly unaware of the crowd or anything else that was going on. I watched him catch some tough passes and miss some easy ones. I watched him make some good throws and some not so great ones. When warm up was over he hustled back to the dugout. This time he turned and looked and his dad and me, baring a smile like I’ve never seen! THAT’S WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF!

For the next eight innings I watched much of the same. Warming up #17 in left field, standing arm to arm with other players on the dugout fence and occasionally peaking around the corner to smile at mom and dad. At one point he tossed us a foul ball and we got him a pen so he could get all the team to sign it. The National Guard stand was selling team jerseys and I went and purchased one for him. I had high hopes that he might wear it the remainder of the game, but even the smallest one swallowed him whole. Through it all one thing was the same, those sparkling eyes and that infectious smile.

The game came to an end and John and I walked down to the dugout to retrieve our little baseball junkie. We both shook hands with #17, who introduced himself as Lesean Thomas. We thanked him for his service to our country and for the opportunity that he gave our son. Keegan came running up the stairs of the dugout, his cheeks packed pull of Big League gum that a player had given him, a half empty bag of sunflower seeds hanging out of his back pocket. He had taken his time leaving the dugout to thank all the players and shake hands. He was now carrying two bats, both cracked being used during the game, one was displaying #17 on the handle. We took a quick photo of him and Lesean Thomas and headed back to the car. The 30 minute drive home was full of 8 year old stories from the dugout. Too many to recount them all. The following days have been full of Keegan retelling those stories to anyone that will listen. Every version just the same with the same smile and sparkle in his eyes that he had that very night. The signed ball and two bats sit proudly in his room. He was sure to instruct me that the #17 bat had to sit out in front of the others.

I’m not really versed on how the military works when it comes to recognition. Maybe it ranges from pats on the back to medals of honor but I can tell you that from my perspective, Mr. Lesean Thomas deserves something! The call for duty in itself meets the status of “above and beyond” on a daily basis, but this was something more to us and to my son. I don’t know yet if all of Keegan’s dreams will come true. He’s still 8 and dreams pretty big, but I can promise you that after this experience given to him by Lesean Thomas, and the rest of the team, Keegan knows WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF!

Most Humbled,
John, Stori, and Keegan McIntyre

Aaron Woodall
I think that the US Military All*Stars is one of the best baseball programs in the US. Being currently active duty and running a baseball team in Landstuhl, Germany, I think it would be great to get an European Military All*Stars team going! By bringing one of the best programs to Europe where baseball is starting become more and more popular! And don’t forget about all of the service members and their families who are stationed over here in Germany and the rest across Europe! I look forward to seeing you in Europe one day!!

Jake Scott
U.S. Military All*Stars is one of the best programs and opportunities we veterans have. So many of us grew up playing ball our whole life. So many like myself gave up what we loved to sacrifice each day for this country. The Military All*Stars allows us to take the field another time and it makes it all worth it. We get to play with our brothers in Arms. I am looking forward to playing with members of other branches all around the world. It will be a humbling experience taking that field with American heroes.  Thank you so much to the U.S. Military All*Stars for allowing us to take the field once more!

Marshall Rogne
While I was stationed at Ft. Stewart, GA in the spring of 2012 I came across information on the U.S. Military All*Star baseball team. From the moment I first started reading up on the team and everything they do for current soldiers and Veterans I knew that I wanted to be apart of something this big. With great support from my chain of command and my family, I departed for my “tour” on the US. Military All*Stars. We had a great summer traveling the United States and promoting and raising money for wounded warriors and Veterans alike. After my tour of duty with the US Military All*Stars I went back to my unit as we prepared for our deployment to Afghanistan. Thank you U.S. Military All*Stars for the joy you brought to me and all the Veterans and military members that we helped and continue to help! CLICK HERE to watch Marshall’s surprise wedding proposal during game at pitchers mound.

Ryan Sires
It was an honor to play against the all stars today. Really humbling to talk to those guys and realize how lucky I am to get to play baseball everyday. Those men and many others put their lives on the line everyday to allow guys like me to do what I do. My best friend is on active duty in the USMC and everyday he tells me how much he misses the game. I am thankful for his and every other man and woman in the armed forces. On behalf of the Yakima Beetles I would like to thank the All Stars for coming to play us and for their service. God bless you all and God bless America.

Karla Chrismon
You and Karl put on the best shows for the vet I have been to many games. Thanks for all you do!