Johns Creek Vets Hit a Home Run - All the Way to Afghanistan!

Johns Creek Vets Hit a Home Run – All the Way to Afghanistan!

A son’s email to his dad is turning into an unexpected bonanza for troops stationed at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.

Army 1 LT. Phillip Choi asked his father, William, for help collecting softball equipment to send overseas. LT. Choi, an ’07 graduate of Centennial HS in Roswell, played high school football for the Knights and knows the value of sport. His goal is to build morale through teamwork and friendly competition among US and coalition troops, as well as local Afghans who work on base. He asked for enough equipment for two teams to take the field. The elder Choi’s business associate, Rick White, is a Johns Creek Veterans Association member. White made the connection and JCVA got into the game.

“There was no hesitation or resistance to answer the call,” said JCVA Membership Chair Jerry Tiarsmith. “I was stationed in Korea (the Choi family homeland) and enjoyed my time there, so I feel a kinship with them. Fellow veterans know what it’s like to be halfway around the world, away from friends and family. If we can help give them a taste of home, we’re in.”

JCVA members purchased new and used gear, and received donations from Johns Creek Parks & Recreation, Cherokee County Parks & Recreation, City of Gainesville Parks & Recreation, Newtown Recreation and Play It Again Sports in Alpharetta. The results are more than enough to supply two teams for the inaugural season of the Bagram Air Base softball league.

The final tally: 33 gloves (righty & lefty); 23 bats; 8 dozen softballs and 3 sets of catcher’s gear. One JCVA member thought it prudent to include six Wiffle balls and a Wiffle bat as an introduction for “rookies” unfamiliar with the game, and its inevitable bumps and bruises.

The UPS Store at 2472 Jett Ferry Road in Dunwoody provided discounted packing, paperwork and shipping. Store Manager Jonathan Hall said, “Matt Newman, Bill McDonald and I, along with UPS, are proud to do whatever we can to help make this project a success.”

The four cartons with 197 pounds of equipment left Dunwoody June 28th and should arrive in Afghanistan around July 6th. Soon thereafter, Lt. Choi can look forward to shouting, “Play ball!”

Donations to help defray the cost of overseas shipping are welcome. Please send contributions to Johns Creek Veterans Association, 3125 Old Alabama Rd., Johns Creek, GA 30022.

Contact:

Barry “Gunner” Stinson, JCVA Treasurer, 404-276-4646, navybear1963@gmail.com