Today is the day that we honor those who are serving and have served our great country. It’s a day to say thank you.
At the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, we have the great fortune of working not only with law enforcement but also with the military every day in our Badges for Baseball programs all across the country. We thank all of those who take their time to come out and spend their days with our kids.
Today we wanted to shine a spotlight on four of our Badges for Baseball mentors and who are also veterans. All four veterans work with our youth in Badges for Baseball as part of their current roles with the US Marshals Service.
Deputy Pedro Alvarez was a member of the US Marine Corps from 2002 to 2006. He was stationed in Hawaii and served in Afghanistan 2004-2005. He served on the 31st MEU, marine expeditionary unit, to Japan, New Zealand, and Philippines, China, and Australia.
Deputy David Ashton was a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force. He served from 1998 – 2002 and actively served on 9/11 during the Afghanistan Campaign. While serving in the Air Force, Staff Sergeant Ashton received multiple medals and awards: Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award, National Defense Service Medal, and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.
Deputy Eric Delahoussaye graduated high school in 2002. After graduating, he joined the US Army and started basic training in September of 2002 and graduated December of 2002 in Fort Benning, Georgia. He also attended and completed Airborne School in 2003. Deputy Delahoussaye was assigned to Battle Company 2/503 Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 173 Airborne Brigade and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. He completed enlistment in 2006, and joined the US Army Reserves in January 2007, while completing Drill Sergeant School out of Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Deputy Delahoussaye completed service with the US Army Reserves in 2010 and left the service at the rank of Staff Sergeant. His awards include Combat Infantry Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal (x3), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Expert marksmanship badge for rifle. He also completed Italian Jump School and was awarded Italian Jump Wings.
Deputy Winstone Nesbit has served in both the Army and the Air Force. He was a Staff Sergeant in the Army from 1995 - 2001 and in 2001 switched over to the Air Force where he currently serves as a Senior Master Sergeant. He has been deployed on three separate occasions during the Operation Allied Force (Kosovo- 1999), Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq-2003), and Operation Enduring Freedom (Iraq-2007). Senior Master Sergeant has received numerous awards including the Meritorious Service Medal (2014), Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (2nd Award), Kosovo Campaign Medal. Currently he was selected as the Air Force Reserve Command Security Forces Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year for 2014!
We want to thank our friends at the US Marshals Service for sharing these stories and photos. The US Marshals Service is the United States longest standing law enforcement agency, and they are one of our longest standing partners. Each year they help with our Badges for Baseball camp and help with numerous programs around the country. These four veterans are just a few #uncommon mentors helping kids learn to make smart choices for their futures.
President Truman eloquently put, "Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. Americans will never forget their sacrifices."
We thank all those who have served and are serving our great country!
Please comment below to share a story about an uncommon veteran you would like to thank!