[youtube]http://youtu.be/7AYf-ChIa5s[/youtube]
Hope the uploader corrects the title in the video.
WASHINGTON (AP) — An Army veteran wounded in Iraq made a unique ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of the NL Division Series, crawling toward the mound and then lobbing the baseball as if it were a grenade.
Retired vet Brian Keaton walked onto the grass before getting on his stomach and crawling several feet at Nationals Park on Saturday.
~~~ According to the Nationals, Keaton was wounded in a bomb explosion. The team said he spent 3 1-2 years at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center recovering from a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.
A former fetus, the “wordsmith from nantucket” was born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1968. Adopted at birth, wordsmith grew up a military brat. He achieved his B.A. in English from the University of California, Los Angeles (graduating in the top 97% of his class), where he also competed rings for the UCLA mens gymnastics team. The events of 9/11 woke him from his political slumber and malaise. Currently a personal trainer and gymnastics coach.
The wordsmith has never been to Nantucket.
Hurrahh, may he have many happy memories of this day!
He’s really made a comeback from his injuries.
I hope he is an indication that we are getting more successful in helping returning soldiers fight that PTSD.