|
Speaking |
|
“The Land of the free…because of the brave” July 3, 2005 The freedom to watch a baseball game on the 4th of July is as American as Hot Dogs and Apple pie. The service of brave young men like Novi’s A.J. Rowe, are things we can never take for granted. As the star pitcher of the best baseball team in Novi HS history, the 2000 graduate was drafted in the 38th round by the Milwaukee Brewers… But, instead he elected to serve his country, much like Steve Reich. You’ve never heard of Steve Reich, and the only reason I have, is because I’m a baseball junkie. Steve Reich possessed a 94 mph fastball, and the crafty lefthander was also drafted out of HS in 1991, but instead enrolled at West Point and played college baseball for the Army Cadets. A dominant pitcher, he made the USA Team and pitched 6 shutout innings against Cuba in 1993 at the Pan American games. What’s interesting, is that his service to West Point was so stellar, that when the Cleveland Indians were prepared to make him a multi-millionaire, his superiors allowed him the reprieve to continue his baseball career, and finish his commitment later. Reich however, decided he would rather stay the course and serve his country, and the small town hero from Washington, Connecticut was stationed in Afganistan twice, and most recently in Iraq. He kept defeating the odds as he saw significant combat during his tours of duty, and the 34-year seemed to revel in the action, as his most recent assignment had been flying M-47 helicopters to deliver reinforcements in a battle theatre that was fighting against Al-Qaida forces. On June 30th, his helicopter was shot down, and along with 16 other crewmen, he was killed. I knew of Steve Reich’s baseball exploits because his story was unusual. Unlike fellow servicemen David Robinson, and Pat Tillman, his story was under that radar because he never played in the big leagues. “Before I came to West Point, I never knew what my potential was,” said Reich shortly after enrolled. It is clear now that his potential was for greatness, and he exceeded his potential. Because of great countrymen (and Pitchers) like Reich and A.J. Rowe, we can all enjoy the freedom to watch baseball on the 4th of July. Sometimes you spend
your life gripping a baseball, when really it was the other way around. (c) 2005 Novi
Information Network ___________________________________ |
|
