 Reds gearing up for playoffs: Recently recognize hometown Ohio National Guard unit for its community outreach efforts
Photo and story by
Sgt. 1st Class Jarrod Kreitzer
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 216th Engineer Battalion,
Ohio Army National Guard
The scoreboard video screen at Great American Ball Park honors Soldiers of the 216th Engineer Battalion as Hometown Heroes during a recent game. Soldiers from the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 216th attended the game and were recognized for their community service during the middle of the third inning of the Cincinnati Reds vs. New York Mets game on Aug. 17, 2012.
CINCINNATI (8/17/2012) — Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 216th Engineer Battalion were invited to attend a recent Cincinnati Reds baseball game to be recognized for their service through the Hometown Heroes program, sponsored by Cincinnati Bell.
Cecelia Russell, an outreach coordinator for the Twin Towers Senior Community, initiated a partnership with HHC, 216th last year, which involves Soldiers visiting with the residents of Twin Towers throughout the year and Twin Towers providing goodies to the troops for special holidays.
To celebrate this unique partnership, Russell organized a group outing to the Cincinnati Reds game on Aug. 17 to recognize some of the Soldiers from the Woodlawn, Ohio-based unit who have visited with the residents of the senior center. Soldiers who attended the game were recognized for their service during the middle of the third inning of the Reds’ game vs. the New York Mets. In addition to the unit getting its name up on the scoreboard video screen, Soldiers were asked to stand and be recognized for their service.
Many of the Soldiers involved in the partnership said they have been grateful for the experience to give back to their community and look forward to expanding our partnership with Twin Towers in the future. |
