Somewhere in about the sixth inning of the July 16th AAA baseball game, the Tacoma Rainiers appeared to be rallying against the Sacramento River Cats, scoring two runs and closing the deficit to 5-3. A murmur of excitement built throughout the stadium, and voices raised in excitement throughout the third-level party deck, with the game pulling the crowd's attention from food, drink and conversation back to the game at hand.

Ultimately, the Rainiers would lose 11-3, but for that group of servicemembers and Rotarians on the third-level party deck in Cheney stadium, the evening ended with big smiles and appreciation all around.  Working with the Rainiers, the Rotary Club of Lakewood provided tickets to the game, free food and beverages, and the special seating space to show their appreciation to individuals serving their country.  

Lakewood Rotary has long been connected with the military.  Past president of Lakewood Rotary Rick Selden estimates that over half of the club's active Rotarians are former military. With its location so near to JBLM, Lakewood is undeniably financially tied to the military.  So, recalls Selden, the question was asked, "what can we do to connect with boots on the ground?"

The answer: invite 50 troops and fellow Rotarians to a baseball game with free food and beverages. "The main reason for this is to show appreciation to our military", Ed Shannon, Chairperson for the Military Appreciation Committee explains.  "We focused on the single soldiers, because we think they're less inclined to be included in these types of events," he concluded.

As a special treat, the group was invited onto the field after the game.  The excitement was palpable and audible as the group chattered excitedly on the walk around the stadium and onto the field.  Then a reverent hush descended as they entered the field. The formality left as soon as cameras came out, though, first for a couple of group shots, then for the inevitable selfies.  

A comment overheard as the group filtered out of the lights of the baseball field, back into the relative darkness of the stadium seemed to sum up the entire evening in a nutshell: "That was fun!"