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Other Columns by Oliver North
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All Stars
By Oliver North
July 7, 2006
Page 2 of 2
Joe DiMaggio's younger brother, Dom, then a member of the Boston Red Sox, described how he was initially rejected by the Navy because of his poor vision. An optometrist told him, "I'm sorry, Dom, the Navy won't not take you because of your eyesight." DiMaggio recounted how he wrote a letter to the War Department asking for an exception and, "Sixty days later, I was in the Navy."
Yogi Berra also wanted to fight. "They asked for volunteers for rocket boats," said Berra, who joined the Navy in 1943. "And I said, 'I am going to join it.'" He did -- and on June 6, 1944, the New York Yankees' All-Star catcher was just off Utah Beach when the allies stormed ashore at Normandy.
Hall of Famer Monte Irvin and 10-year Major League veteran Morrie Martin both served in Europe during the Battle of the Bulge. Player-announcers Ernie Harwell and Jerry Coleman both volunteered for the Marines and fought in the Pacific. Coleman also flew in Korea -- making him the only Major League player to see combat in two wars.
Players like these -- and the sacrifices made by our military today -- inspired Barry Zito, a pitcher for the Oakland Athletics, to found "Strikeouts For Troops" -- a project to provide financial support for members of our Armed Forces wounded in battle. To date, the organization has raised more than $190,000 to help America's WIAs and their families.
On Tuesday, when the "Boys of summer" take to the field in Pittsburgh's new PNC Park, they will have an audience that spans the globe. In Iraq, Afghanistan, and all over the world, thanks to Armed Forces Radio and Television Service, members of the U.S. military will tune in for the mid-summer classic. For those who are serving far from home, the game -- and all the hype that surrounds it -- offers a great respite from difficult and sometimes downright dangerous duty. It's all part of a great legacy that we should celebrate. Play ball!
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COPYRIGHT 2005 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC
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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA. >> Back -- Page 1 2
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