Pittsburgh Pirates welcome the Wing for 911th Community Day

  • Published
  • By Lt. Shawn M. Walleck
  • 911 AW/PA
PITTSBURGH IAP ARS --  A photo finish of Pierogies racing Presidents isn't something seen every day, however, this was just one of the many highlights unit members saw during the 911th's Community Day at PNC Park, held Aug. 10 when the Pittsburgh Pirates squared off against the Washington Nationals. 

Game time was slated for a 7:05 p.m. start, but months prior to that a plan was underway to show the fans a show of Force...the Air Force Reserve. The man behind the curtain, pulling the event together for the unit, from the Bucco side of the house was J.J. "Oz" McGraw from the group sales office. His daily grinding efforts helped make the day's events memorable for not only the wing members but for the fans in attendance too.
Then finally the big day arrived and in an undisclosed location, somewhere in the belly of the ballpark, Pirates Field General and special events manager Chris Serkoch assembled the 911th's Airmen, delivered the orders of the day and then marched the group onto the field of battle.
Once on the field she formed up nine of the unit's newest recruits near home plate, where Wing Commander, Col. Gordon. H. Elwell, Jr. delivered the oath of enlistment amongst, roaring cheers and applause from the fans in attendance.
"I wasn't nervous [about being on the field], and it was an exciting experience. Hearing the crowds response, after we finished reciting the oath, just reinforced the positive feelings I had about joining the military," said new recruit, Mrs. Kelly Galloway.
Once the new recruits departed the field Col. Elwell stretched out his pitching arm and headed to the mound. Tech. Sgt. Jay Wasko, maintainer and crew chief of the unit's C-130 Pirate Ship, knelt down behind home plate and got in his catcher's stance and prepared for Col. Elwell to deliver the Honorary First Pitch. "Just a bit, low and outside," might have been the ump's call, but a unique experience for the Wing's commander nonetheless.
"I was worried before the pitch that the Pirates might sign me to a multimillion dollar pitching contract, however; after I threw the ball, no such luck, they just escorted me off the field," said Col. Elwell.
Working in tandem with Mrs. Serkoch was Eric Wolff, a.k.a. Eye in the Sky, Producer/Director of in game entertainment, who routed on field video to the scoreboard from his production booth perched atop the park's upper decks. Here is where he pulled the trigger for the scoreboard's daily Bucco Military Salute.
Maintainer, Staff Sgt. Kristin McGeorge spoke about her service in the Middle East and then introduced the two teams with an eruption of applause from a grateful audience.
"It's a bit strange seeing yourself on the giant scoreboard, but once I heard the applause and cheers from the fans for my service overseas, I realized what an honor it was," said Staff Sgt. McGeorge.
In the outfield boxes, just past the third base line were eager 911th Pirates fans armed with hot dogs, beverages, nachos and cracker jacks, ready to watch the Monday night battle unfold.
Then during a break in the action at the bottom of the fourth inning, Retired Master Sgt. and 911th civilian employee Ron Piche was selected to answer the scoreboard trivia question of the day. Although he answered the question incorrectly, the quiz team still loaded him up with the prizes of the day and thanked him for his military service.
"I choked, what I can say? It was a lot of fun and it was nice of them to still give me the prizes," said Mr. Piche.
After the quiz it was back to the stands where unit members shelved conversations about work and talked baseball. Talk heard in the seats was about Pirates players both past and present, teams of the 1970s and 1990s and where the team would be headed in the upcoming years.
As the day drew to a close the Pirates weren't able to walk away with one in the 'W' column, but it didn't matter much, because for that one night the unit came together enjoying each other's company while enjoying America's favorite past time.
"Everyone had a great time and I honestly don't think things could have been done any better. The Pirates did an outstanding job for us and for that we thank them for their service," concluded Col. Elwell.