News

McChord security forces Reservist sings during Mariners' Salute to Service game

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Madelyn McCullough
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  A baseball tradition was thrown a curve ball during a recent Seattle Mariners game when a 446th Airlift Wing Reservist replaced "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" with "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch.

On April 26, members of the U.S. military combined forces with America's pastime for the 2014 Seattle Mariners Salute to Armed Forces Night at Safeco Field in Seattle, which coincided with the team's match-up against the Texas Rangers.

One Reservist was selected as the voice of the military for the night when he was given the opportunity to sing "God Bless America" during the game. Tech. Sgt. Freddie Garza, 446th Security Forces Squadron, felt honored and spent two weeks preparing for the performance, he said.

"To be able to be a part of this and that they would even do something like this for the veterans is a great honor," Garza said. "I'm happy I was selected."

Halfway through the seventh inning, Garza stood behind home plate and shared his voice with a stadium full of baseball fans. The crowd stood in silence as he sang each word and when he hit the final note, they all cheered.

It was the biggest performance of his life, he said.

"I've been singing since around five years old," said Garza, who comes from a family of singers.

His first time performing in front of a crowd was when he sang to around 200 people at his church when he was a kid. Between then and now, he has performed at events such as the Independence Day celebration at the Yakima, Wash., fairgrounds, Hoopfest in Spokane, Wash., and many Air Force Reserve retirement ceremonies.

"Even to this day, I still get nervous, but once I hit that first note it all comes out," he said.

Garza carries on this singing tradition with his role as director of the children's choir for his church.

"I want to help bring out their talent," he said. "A lot of the kids just understand the basics like how to read music, so to be able to mold them and help them grow is exciting. We have solos at the church and currently I do all of them. I ask each and every member before they join the choir at the church, 'If I ask you to sing a solo today are you willing to do it?' And they all look at me with the big eyes and look scared. That's okay though because I want to get them to that point where they are confident."

After all, he gained his own confidence singing at his church and has now performed for what he calls his favorite baseball team. Much like singing, watching the Mariners play has been a part of his life since he was a kid.

"I remember I was a Mariners fan back when they had Ken Griffey, Jr.," said Garza, who played baseball from little league until high school. "I used to copy his style when he was at bat. He had a certain style that nobody had. He was my idol for baseball."

Garza wasn't the only service member who was honored by the Mariners Salute to the Armed Forces Night. Service members from all branches enjoyed different opportunities. Three 446th AW Reservists stood on the baseline with members of the Mariners baseball team during the playing of the National Anthem. These Reservists were Senior Airman Bonn Abad and Airman Austin Jodzko of the 446th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and Senior Airman Sheriah Coburn, 446th Maintenance Group. On top of that, another Reservist, Maj. Marc Miller of the 97th Airlift Squadron had the opportunity to throw the first pitch.

Although the Mariners lost, the event itself was a celebration for all of the veterans and service members who were honored by the night's theme.