Miamisburg HS uses national pastime to honor America’s heroes

Credit: JAMES BUECHELE / STAFF

Credit: JAMES BUECHELE / STAFF

At Miamisburg High School, the national pastime also is an opportunity to honor America’s heroes.

The varsity baseball team on Saturday held its annual Veteran Appreciation Game, this time when they played Bellbrook High School.

Both teams started by shaking the hands of veterans across different generations, followed by a 21-gun, salute, then a rendition of taps.

“It’s just a way for us to honor people that don’t normally get enough credit,” said Miamisburg head coach Steve Kurtz.

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After the national anthem, professional skydivers from Team Fastrax brought down the ball for the first pitch, thrown by a Gold Star father, Paul Zanowick.

“It was an honor I think our son was smiling down,” he said.

He and his wife, Nanette, lost their son, Marine Cpl. Paul “Rocky” Zanowick II, almost seven years ago in Afghanistan.

“I’m very touched and very proud of this community and what we do for the veterans and they honored our son today to make it extra special,” Nanette Zanowick said.

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“Not everywhere in the country is there so much care and concern for the military, but it is here,” Paul Zanowick said.

Veterans are the real winners of the game, with proceeds from T-shirt sales benefitting the Wounded Warrior Project.

Kurtz said he’s glad to support the veteran community.

“It’s good to see that they smile and they know that we do care and we are extremely grateful for what they’ve done for us,” he said.

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