Cards 1St Pitch A Marine (In Canoe)

[Doug Baker]

(Thank you for this website. It's my go-to for a pick me up, year-round.)

A US Marine stopped riverside to throw out first pitch at Busch today (July 4th).

I'm a sucker for paddling / vet benefits. Maybe you are too. Not many from our region have kicked in a $10 or $20. Surprised.

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/AFF/PaddleoffTheWar/

Post-Dispatch excerpt-

In honor of Independence Day, United States Marine Core veteran Corporal Joshua Ploetz will throw the ceremonial pitch. Corporal Ploetz served two tours of duty in Afghanistan with the 3^rd Marine Regiment as a machine gunner. Currently, the Corporal is on a 2,350 mile river journey - in a one-man canoe - in an ongoing effort to address his combat related Post-Traumatic Stress. Ploetz's journey, "Paddle Off the War" began along the Mississippi River on May 19^th from Lake Itasca in Minnesota, and he expects to arrive in Venice, Louisiana on August 1^st. Joining Ploetz for the ceremony are members & volunteers of FOCUS Marines Foundation, a local organization dedicated to helping veterans transition from military to civilian lives

[Pepe]

Fortunately, there are abundant non-profit veterans support charities these days. I am very glad that my son returned from the war and was treated with respect from most of the public he encountered. That is a welcome change from the way we were viewed and treated when returning home.

The one thing that hasn't changed in all that time, unfortunately is the VA.

[Terrierman]

Semper Fidelis Corporal Ploetz.

[Justin Spencer]

He has a nice river rise to float down now!