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Pocono News Section
Local Marine's Sacrifice Inspires Baseball Team
Local Marine's Sacrifice Inspires Baseball Team - Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 4:29PM EST
Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Sunday, May 24, 2009 @ 04:29pm EST
BERWICK, COLUMBIA COUNTY -- Berwick's varsity baseball team and a group of Marines in Iraq, in essence, adopted one another over the past few years. Neither expected to find the inspiration they did, or lose someone they went to bat for.
When Berwick's varsity baseball coach, Brian Pinterich, was asked back in 2006 to contribute something to a care package for Marines in Iraq, he could only find one thing.
"I remember walking out with the bag of towels, saying to myself, 'What are Marines going to do with these stupid towels?'" recalls Pinterich.
Little did he know how much the rally towels meant to them. It turns out, the Marines never went on a mission without them.
"The one gentleman actually stapled his to his flap jacket on the back," Pinterich said. "And I remember asking him if he stood out. He said he did, but that's how much the towel mean to him:"
The team also sent a banner that read, "We're here going to bat for you." Eventually, the Marines sent back the banner with messages, including one from Lance Cpl. Dennis Veater, an Abington Heights graduate. On their last day in Iraq, the Marines wanted to leave their mark.
"They decided to bury, in the middle of Fallujah, a Berwick baseball towel," Pinterich said, still amazed at the significance.
"Berwick is right there in the middle of the most hostile city in the world," added Steve Lazar, a first baseman for Berwick in 2008.
On the way back from that mission in March of 2007, Veater was killed by an IED. The next month, the surviving Marines surprised the team and showed up at a game. Berwick was down 7-1.
"I think we scored we scored seven runs in one inning, and we ended up winning 8-7," added Steve. "And the Marines were just as fired up as we were."
"It was like we were speaking with family, and we'd never met those guys before," said Pinterich. "And it was a real special time."
The team lost in the playoffs later that season.
"I remember one of the players after the game saying, 'We let the Marines down," said Steve.
It was then the Bulldogs decided to dedicate their 2008 season to Veater. In the end, they beat Somerset for the school's first-ever state title in baseball. Veater was on their minds and in their hearts. The team later gave Veater's family a gold medal. They gave Berwick a charcoal portrait.
"Getting the rings and shaking the hand of his twin brother and his parents, it was pretty neat," said Zach Lazar, a pitcher on the state championship team.
Both Veater's picture and medal now sit in a trophy case outside Berwick's gymnasium and serve as a reminder of sacrifice.
"It really hits home that he and guys like him give up their life every day," said Steve.
For the inspiration they gave the marines, Berwick was honored this week with a "National High School Spirit of Sport Award" -- one of only seven given in the entire country.
"To be the first school in PA to win something like this - what an honor," said Pinterich.
But above all, the team is grateful for Veater's sacrifice for their freedom.
"He's a hero, not just for us, but the whole country," said Zach. "He gave his life for our freedom."
All that's left now is to deliver Veater's state championship ring to his parents. Then, the mission will be accomplished. | | |
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