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Thanks to the Oakland A’s for helping us make these Warrior Wishes come true!

For the 5th straight night, my dad slept on an overnight bus, but this one a little more challenging. He had a Greyhound from Anaheim to LA and then had to catch a Megabus in LA to head up to Oakland. We knew when we booked it, that it would be very tight window to make his Megabus connection – and it was.   My dad missed his Connecting bus!!! 

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This could have been a problem, However, my dad has an amazing travel coordinator who booked two Megabus rides just in case.  The extra bus only cost $1.  So my dad had to stay in LA a little longer to catch the next Megabus, but he eventually arrived in San Francisco at around 10AM the next morning. My dad said the 2nd bus better anyway cuz it went to SF , which gave him the opportunity to spend a couple hours to go sightseeing before taking the BART over to the O.Co Colisseum in Oakland -home of the Raiders and the Athletics. It is also right across the parking lot from where the Golden State Warriors play.

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My dad met up with Army Sgt Cristian Valle and Army Sgt Matt Sullivan at 4:30 to go onto the field and watch batting practice. Cristian was nominated by Homes For Our Troops and was actually our Guest for Super Bowl Opening Night earlier this year in SF. He brought along his wife Blanca and 10 yr old son Marshall Matt was nominated by Mikhail of Ranger Road and brought along his 16 yr old daughter Kirsten.

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My dad thanked Debbie and Detra from the A’s for this opportunity and they headed down to the field.  Not only did the warriors get New Era Caps today, but the A’s also gave them each a hat. Everyone enjoyed the once in a lifetime experience to watch their favorite team up close and my dad got both the kids a ball.

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After batting practice, the A’s had set up a Meet n Greet with closer Sean Doolittle. He thanked the Warriors for their service and sacrifices, signed a couple baseballs and all their hats, posed for pictures and just hung out with the guys for 10 or 15 minutes talking baseball , military and other things.  It was awesome!

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As the game got ready to start, they grabbed a bite to eat and were entertained by a great offensive game and a home team win, as Athletics won 7 to 4.

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Both families had an hour or so drive ,so everyone said there goodbyes after the game and headed home. My dad went to the Oakland airport located just a short BART ride away.  Of course to sleep BUT also to FLY for a change!!!  

Operation Warrior Wishes would like to thank Debbie & Detra from the Oakland Athletics for providing an unforgettable once in a lifetime experience for the Warriors.  We would also like to thank New Era Cap for providing A’s caps, as well as Homes For Our Troops and Ranger Road for nominating tonight’s heroes.  But of course most importantly thank you to Sgt Sullivan and Sgt Valle for your service to our country!!! It was a pleasure to host you and your families!  

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Together We Make Warrior Wishes Come True!

As I mentioned before, my dad will be spending he night at the Oakland airport before boarding a flight to Seattle to make Warrior Wishes come true at the Mariners game!  Stay tuned for details.

MEET THE WARRIORS

ARMY SGT MATT SULLIVAN

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ARMY SGT CHRISTIAN VALLE

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On Oct. 23, 2005 Army SGT Cristian Valle was on patrol performing a vehicle checkpoint in Balad, Iraq when a mortar round with a grenade attached was thrown out the window of a passing vehicle. The grenade exploded a few feet away from SGT Valle, tossing him into the air. He lost one of his legs immediately and the other was so severely damaged it was eventually amputated. He also sustained a pelvic fracture, burns and significant blood loss.

After SGT Valle was tossed into the air and landed on the ground, through the dust and smoke, the first thing that caught his eye was his wedding ring and he says that is what pulled him through. He spent 13 months at Walter Reed, where he had multiple leg cleaning surgeries and months of physical therapy. Today he is continuously adjusting to his condition.

SOURCE: https://www.hfotusa.org/building-homes/veterans/valle/

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