American Valor Quarterly Issue 5 - Winter 2008/09 | Page 6

Among the many high school and college students who attend the conference, some of the most popular speakers are those who are serving us today in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of these young service members are not much older than the students themselves, and are able to build a bond with the students, helping them to better appreciate the service of veterans of every generation. Pictured left, one of the high school classes in attendance stand with the young men of the “Heroes of Today” panel, consisting of three of the most highly decorated service members from Operation Iraqi Freedom. Standing left to right are Captain W. Bryan Jackson, recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, SSgt. Jeremiah Workman, recipient of the Navy Cross, and SSgt. David Bellavia, recipient of the Silver Star and recommended for the Medal of Honor. A highlight of the 11th Annual Conference was the inclusion of a panel dedicated to the Major League Baseball Players who fought in World War II. Despite being some of the most famous men of their day, a great many Major League players eagerly put their careers aside to serve our country during a time of war. Participating on the panel were Hall of Famers Bob Feller, Monte Irvin, and Ralph Kiner. Joining them were New York Yankee and current San Diego Padres announcer Lt. Col. Jerry Coleman; Joe Anders, who learned to play baseball from “Shoeless” Joe Jackson; and Lou Brissie, who was wounded in Italy and, despite nearly losing his leg, fought to return to the game following the war. The conference coincided with Bob Feller’s 90th birthday. Pictured left, Feller blows out the candles on a cake given to him at a reception in honor of the players at the Presidents Club at Washington Nationals Park. Special guests at the reception were our young wounded warriors currently undergoing rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda. They are pictured left with Lou Brissie, who spends countless hours volunteering his time to help those who like himself have been injured in the line of duty. His story can be found in the recently published book, The Corporal Was a Pitcher: The Courage of Lou Brissie. The reception at the Presidents Club was one of a series of events for our wounded warriors sponsored by the American Veterans Center. The Center regularly arranges dinners around Washington for these young men and women, allowing them an opportunity to get away from the hospital and enjoy time with their family and friends. AMERICAN VALOR QUARTERLY - Winter 2008/09 - 6