An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

USO night at the ballpark

  • Published
  • By Monte Miller
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE< Ill. --  About 1,100 members of the Armed Forces attended the St. Louis Cardinals game Friday night as part of the annual USO night at the ballgame.

Col. Al Hunt, 375th Airlift Wing commander received the honor of throwing out one of the ceremonial first pitches and was joined on the field before the game by NCOs and senior NCOs representing the Navy, Coast Guard, Marines and Army.

"I've been here and done this a few times, but doesn't make it any less exciting," Colonel Hunt said. "It was great being on the field with the enlisted force. We can't do it without them and they help make our armed forces the strongest in the world."

He added that strong leadership is important, but it is truly the enlisted force that makes things happen.

After a throwing out the first pitch, Colonel Hunt was a guest of Cardinals broadcaster Mike Shannon in the 550 KTRS broadcast booth and joined Mr. Shannon on the air for a couple of innings during the game to speak about the role the USO plays.

"The USO does so much for the men and women in uniform," Colonel Hunt said. "They do as much, if not more than any other organization. It is just incredible, the support they give us."

He praised all of the volunteers and USO supporters that work to raise money to help the organization that in turn benefits the troops.

Recently, St. Louis radio personality Dave Glover teamed with St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger to raise more than $200,000 to renovate the James McDonnell USO at Lambert International Airport.

Colonel Hunt also praised a more local group that directly benefits the Scott community.

"The Belle-Scott committee does a lot of great things for young Airmen," he said. "It's just great to know the folks in the community and throughout the country are behind our military."

Also in attendance at the game was the U.S. Transportation Command Joint Forces Color Guard to present the colors before the game.

"It's great to have all of the forces represented here tonight," Colonel Hunt said. "The color guard did a great job. It's a hot night and they didn't flinch. It is a testament to their professionalism. It shows we do it at Scott better than anybody."

Although the 1,100 military personnel and their families that attended the game were from all over the St. Louis area, Scott Air Force Base was well represented.

Free tickets were distributed to the 375th Airlift Wing, 126th Air Refueling Wing, Scott Airman & Family Readiness Center and 932nd Airlift Wing.

Additionally, tickets were also handed out at the Garrison Command at Fort Leonard Wood, Human Resources Command, 648th Regional Support Group on Goodfellow, 131st Fighter Wing at Lambert Airport, U.S. Coast Guard office on Spruce and other military offices.