The Tampa Bay Rays Make Warrior Wishes Come True!
After spending a few days in Atlanta, my dad spent the night on another bus heading to Tampa to make Warrior Wishes come true at the Rays & Lightning games!
It’s not often we have the opportunity to host warriors at 2 games in 1 day, but thankfully the schedule worked out perfectly. The Rays game started at 1 and the puck dropped at the Lightning game at 5.
My dad arrived on the bus in the Tampa area around 7am. He immediately made his way to Tropicana Field in St Petersburg.
Today we had the honor of hosting Army veteran Charles “CJ” Lavender & his girlfriend. CJ was nominated by SSG Mike Williams, a warrior we hosted in Miami. CJ & Mike served together in Iraq.
We were also hoping to see Navy Veteran Christopher Scott again this year. Chris was our guest at the Buccaneers game the first year. Unfortunately his son got sick and they were unable to attend.
My dad met up with CJ at Fergs Sports bar at 11:00am. Fergs opened their doors in 1992 & has become the official gathering spot for Rays fans! If You’re ever in Tampa for a game, make sure to stop by for a bite to eat or drink.
My dad enjoyed getting to know CJ and Jay Dee over a delicious meal before heading over to Tropicana Field. They snapped some great photos both outside the stadium and down by the field before the game.
The Rays provided the warriors with some “incredible seats” behind home plate.
CJ told my dad before the game that he was at a game when there were 7 Home Runs hit. Well, as this game started , there were 3 Home Runs in first 3 innings! Eventually the big bats settled down and the Rays came away with the 7-2 win!
Operation Warrior Wishes would like to thank Fergs Sports Bar for lunch, Dick from the Rays for providing tickets, and New Era for providing Rays caps!
TOGETHER WE MAKE WARRIOR WISHES COME TRUE!
most importantly we would like to say Thank You to Army SGT Charles “CJ” Lavender for his service to our country!
My dad is now en route back to Tampa, from St Pete, where he will be making Warrior Wishes come true at the Lightning game. Stay tuned for a special presentation!
