Sunday was a fun, family day.
Sam was honored during the military appreciation baseball game at our alma mater, SIU.
Sunday was military appreciation day. The field had American flags that lined the walkway. As we entered the stadium, flags representing each military branch lined the stairway.
I had goosebumps.
Sam threw the first pitch, which was a strike, and I cried.
As the announcer introduced him, I thought my heart would burst.
“Sam Hoekstra, a combat veteran who served theee tours, two in Iraq, one of Afghanistan, served in the army for twelve years before being medically retired.”
Applause and tears.
After he threw the pitch, the SIU baseball coach, Ken Henderson, presented Sam with a signed baseball from the team, and he thanked him for his service and for coming out.
Several people shook Sam’s hand after and during the game.
While we bleed Saluki maroon, we most definitely bleed red, white, and blue.
