The Price of Freedom (September 1, 2021)
Although I haven’t met him personally, I feel like I know Jerry Keefe. Since June, I have been hearing his name from Kristina White, Rickey Thomas and Travis Pennell. Jerry, I learned, is a veteran himself and a member of the USA Patriots’ executive staff. It may take me a minute or two to get you all the reasons—but trust me, you won’t regret the time taken to read this story.
As you might imagine, the district receives a lot of requests for appearances by our band and JROTC cadets. Jerry Keefe was the author of one such email request inviting us to participate in the August 28, USA Patriots’ Wounded Warrior softball games held at Mercy Field. While he was specifically requesting the Blue Devils’ marching band, it didn’t take us long to encourage the organization to also consider featuring our JROTC color guard and Emerald Guard drill team during the opening ceremonies.
Founded in 2010, the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team gives veteran and active duty servicemen the opportunity to compete and serve our nation beyond the battlefield, inspiring their fellow countrymen to overcome any challenge. They are inspiring.
Their mission is one of education and enhances the health and welfare of wounded warrior amputees. They offer a kids camp, assist with the college education of fallen veterans’ children and donate rehab equipment to military health facilities. Of course, we answered Jerry Keefe’s email with a resounding, “YES!” Jerry next asked if we’d be willing to contribute information for the event program. Another resounding, “YES!”
There were many memories made during the event. First, the information included in the program booklet allowed us to educate everyone in attendance about our impressive JROTC program and talented musicians. If you remember last Saturday afternoon, it was very hot. On the field as the band played and the JROTC cadets performed, it was hot but there were very few complaints heard. Rather, our students were actually in awe and quite humbled to watch true heroes take the field and compete in three softball games—one against a team fielded by the Toledo Police Department. Another against area celebrities and finally against the UToledo Lady Rockets’ team. One comment overheard was that it “…doesn’t seem to matter what the uniform they have on—one from the armed services or one to play softball, these guys put it all out there.”
Every single member of the team has a story. Those stories are listed in the same program as the one describing our students. In each of the stories, readers learn how the price of freedom cost the players an arm, a leg and more. Many also lost comrades while fighting in locations such as Baghdad, Afghanistan and Iraq to protect our lives and liberty. Their stories are important. Their service to our nation cost them in ways that we will never be able to repay.
It is not unusual to see our students stand a little taller and work a little harder when performing for veterans. I’d like to think that we inspire and encourage that through the education we offer to all students. I believe, though, that the level of respect that we see on those occasions isn’t something that you find in a text book. It comes from someplace much deeper within the consciousness of our young people. There was a quote in the program book that read, “Life without a limb is limitless.” So, too, is the homage that we should pay to those who run towards danger so that the rest of us remain safe.
Speaking for every student and mentor that attended the event on August 28, we are beyond grateful that Jerry Keefe sent that first email invitation.
