Warrior Wishes Come True At The Rangers Game In A “Suite” Way!

After getting a good night sleep, in a bed at a hotel thanks to our friends at Globe Life, it was time to switch missions back to “Battlefields to Ballfields” for one more night.  Each year Globe Life has provided us with a suite , but this year actually gave us 2 – since we were gonna be in town for the Cowboys preseason game. 

Needless to say, this has been one of the more popular experiences for the warriors because they get to experience the game from a suite!  Here are pictures from each of the previous Globe Life “Suite” Experiences.  

And what We are most proud of is we have been able to host different Warriors (with a couple exceptions ) each of the 4 times.

Tonight’s crowd was a great mix and of course, my dad met the Warriors in front of the “TEXAS ” sign so everyone could get a photo making the “X”. It’s a great meeting place because it gives my dad a chance to personally greet everyone as they arrive.

We were honored to be hosting 2 Army Captains, 3 Army Sgts, 3 Marines and even a long time Coast Guard veteran, Chad Grensky We also invited a couple very special guests – Diana and Montana Slape, the widow and daughter of Army SFC Fred Slape.

Fred and Montana were our guests 2 years ago in exact same suite unfortunately SFC Slape passed away last year.  After my dad introduced everyone and thanked them all for their service, he had a moment of silence for Fred Slape – and of course burst into tears as he hugged his widow.

Globe Life went above and beyond as usual.  Not only did they provide the amazing suite behind home plate, but they presented each warrior with their own personalized Texas Rangers jersey!  

And one side note – you would think those jerseys would be hit of the night – and they are awesome – BUT when it’s time for ice cream, the entire suite gets fired up (LOL) and especially the kids!

Good food and fun was had by all, and the game made it even that much better, as the Rangers were pounding the ball all night.  The Rangers even blasted 3 Home Runs in one inning, and jumped out to a 10-2 lead . However, the Astros made it interesting in this Texas rivalry, getting the tying run on base in the 9th inning  before the Rangers shut the late rally down and won 10 – 8.  

A HUGE THANK YOU to Globe Life who has been an amazing partner making warrior wishes come true for the past 3 years.  We Also want to thank the Texas Rangers staff for their incredible hospitality and of course New Era Cap for Rangers caps!  

TOGETHER WE MAKE WARRIOR WISHES COME TRUE! 

Most importantly THANK YOU to Army Captain Ed Gunderson, Army Captain Cory Boyles, Army Sgt Bill Dunham and Todd Boswell, Army SSG Steve McMahon and his family , Marines TJ Brooks, Mike Rao and Adam Mayo, Coast Guard Warrior Chad Grensky & SFC Fred Slape for all of their service and sacrifices to our country!!!  It’s appreciated, hasn’t gone unnoticed & will never be forgotten.

My dad will be on his 2nd 22 hour bus ride this week back to Chicago to prepare for Kickoff 2016!

MEET THE WARRIORS

MARINE SGT TJ BROOKS

Thomas J. Brooks (TJ) is a retired OIF-OEF wounded veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Sergeant Brooks joined the Marine Corps in June of 2006 out of Tappahannock VA, and attended boot camp at Parris Island South Carolina. He completed two deployments to the Al Anbar Province in Iraq and one deployment to the Helmand Province in Afghanistan. He served and deployed under First Battalion Eight Marines, Eight Marine Regiment Second Marine Division as a Scout Sniper. His military awards include the Purple Heart and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievements Medal with a V for Valor. Sergeant Thomas Brooks was injured on the morning of January 21, 2011 as a result of a pressure plate improvised explosive device while conducting missions in Afghanistan. Injuries resulting in IED blast are right leg amputation above the knee, severe muscle and tissue damage to the left leg below the knee, TBI, and PTSD. During his recovery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center he became an active participate in The Salute Military Golf Association. He is a two time participant of the Bush Center Warrior Open Golf Tournament and was a member of the United States Simpson Cup Golf Team. Sergeant Brooks retired from the Marine Corps due to his wounds on November 29, 2012. Sergeant Brooks is on the Board of Directors for the Salute Military Golf Associate and is currently attending Baylor University.

ARMY SGT BILL DUNHAM

Army SGT Bill Dunham Served as a team leader in Bravo Company, 3rd Ranger Battalion. He Received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman’s Badge and Combat Parachutist Badge for his actions in operation “Just Cause” to restore Democracy to the Country of Panama in December 1989.  SGT Dunham Currently works for Hanger Clinic in Oklahoma and assists in providing quality patient care for amputees.

ARMY CAPTAIN ED GUNDERSON

Edward Gunderson currently pursuing a master’s degree for operations at the University of Texas at El Paso.  Prior to UTEP, Edward was a United States Army Captain and served for 13  years serving in over 25 different countries. During his career in the Military he served as an Combat/ logistics advisor CJTF 82 and also advised the Afghani Army Logistics Corps. Edward was medically retired honorably in 2014 after multiple combat deployments, having earned a Bronze Star, graduating Army Airborne school and earned 5 overseas medals.

ARMY CAPTAIN CORY BROYLES

“Cory Boyles works for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and left the U.S. Army in fall 2015.Prior to his role at Merrill Lynch, Cory was a United States Army Captain for 9 years serving in over 30 different countries. During his career in the Military he served as an Combat Advisor to the Iraqi Ministry of Interior and also advised the Afghani Army Logistics Corps. Cory was medically retired honorably in 2015 after multiple combat deployments, having earned a Bronze Star, graduating Army Airborne school and earned 5 overseas medals.