McGuire airmen unfurl flag at Yankee Stadium

McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. (USTCNS) --- More than 100 McGuire airmen took to the field at the "House that Ruth built" Sunday during game four of the nationally televised American League Championship Series between the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners.

Camera flashes illuminated historic Yankee Stadium like 40,000 strobe lights as blue suiters unfurled a flag the size of a basketball court during the singing of the national anthem while others lined the outfield wall saluting.

The Star-Spangled Banner was capped off by a bald eagle flying across the field. All this was accompanied by a thunderous ovation that vibrated the stadium just as hard as it rocked when the Yankees' Alfonso Soriano hit a game-winning home run in the bottom of the ninth inning.

"It was an absolute dream come true to walk on this field during the playoffs - nothing compares to it," said Tech. Sgt. Bernard McGuinness, 305th Communications Squadron member and loyal fan of the Yanks "since conception." "There are two sacred places in the world. St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is one and the other is Yankee Stadium."

McGuinness is the kind of guy who can tell you a 20-year-old stat right off the top of his head. A giddy smile swept across his face while he pointed to the seats he sat at during his first ball game back in 1977 - a game his father took him to for his birthday when he was 11 or 12.

"That's just part of being a fan. You remember who won, where you sat, who pitched …"

McGuinness had the dream of a lifetime come true when he made a one handed grab on a ball thrown into the sea of blue from the field.

McGuinness is a true lover of the game and so is Chief Master Sgt. Peter O'Shaughnessy, 305th Operations Support Squadron Radar Approach Control chief controller.

"Going on the field was one of my personal life highlights," said O'Shaughnessy, a Bronx native who spent many a summer afternoon at the stadium while growing up. "I knew this would be something special, but I have to say it turned out to be much more than that. I never expected the ovation we received when the stadium announcer said members of the U.S. Air Force from McGuire were participating in the opening ceremonies - it sent chills down my spine. The feeling of pride was never so dominant among those of us who were lucky enough to be part of such a special evening. It was a day I'll never forget."

The chief got to experience that highlight thanks to the Yankees organization, which contacted Brig. Gen. Chip Diehl, director of Air Force marketing, asking Air Force people to be guests at the game and participate in the pre-game ceremony.

As a retired Air Force member, George Steinbrenner, Yankees owner since 1973, continues his admiration for the Air Force by continuously giving back, according to Diehl.

"Something like this puts the Air Force in the public eye, showcases our great professionals in uniform and allows us to continue to unite with New York and evolve from the tragedies of Sept. 11," said Diehl. The general added that aside from recruiting and showcasing, another purpose of the event was retention.

Originally, Air Force people were going to be honored during a game toward the end of the regular season, but the Sept. 11 attacks changed that. Instead, they got to go to an ALCS game.

After the game, while walking under the bleachers toward the exit, roaring chants of "let's go Yankees" were replaced by "let's go Air Force" as the New York faithful continued to show their support.

Outside the stadium, hundreds of people shook hands and exchanged high five's and "thank you's" [or in some cases, "thank youze"] with the Air Force troops. It resembled an assembly line. Some even asked if they could get their pictures taken with the troops.

"This is what I expected when I joined the Air Force," said Senior Airman Nicole Ullman. "I wish I had this feeling every day."

(FROM AIR MOBILITY COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS)