Baseball fan's touching gesture to shield cadet during Memorial Day ceremony goes viral
Every year, Major League Baseball does a great job of honoring America’s military on Memorial Day.
Teams wear special uniforms, and during the games themselves, they always recognize veterans and active-duty personnel in the stands, as well as those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
On Monday, though, it was a fan at SunTrust Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, who got attention for his act of kindness directed at a Marine Corps JROTC candidate from Parkview High School.
The Atlanta Braves posted a picture to their official Twitter account of the cadet standing at attention next to the stadium’s POW-MIA Chair of Honor during a ceremony to honor those taken prisoner or declared missing in action.
It was raining, so a fan had taken it upon himself to open his umbrella and hold it over the cadet so he wouldn’t get wet.
Respect. pic.twitter.com/wRe9T5bwYU
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 28, 2018
“Respect,” the Braves wrote in the caption of the photo.
According to KHOU, the plaque next to the chair reads, “Since World War I, more than 92,000 American soldiers are unaccounted for. This unoccupied seat is dedicated to the memory of these brave men and woman and to the sacrifices made in serving this country.”
Some gave all. #MemorialDay pic.twitter.com/lygDsksoRz
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 28, 2018
The Braves’ photo of the fan’s touching gesture has gone viral, racking up almost 15,000 likes and more than 5,000 retweets.
Many Twitter users indicated that they appreciated the fan’s selfless act.
https://twitter.com/chellebelle011/status/1001181340375638017
Wow. This is beautiful on a LOT of different levels.
— Chris Cauley (@chriscauley) May 28, 2018
This is the part of America I want to be apart of! #Respect
— Crystal Oxford (@oxford1983) May 29, 2018
It is awesome that the Braves have the reserved seats in honor of POWS/MIAS. The Fan's show of respect is awesome squared!
— Kevin Ray Willis (@KevinRayWillis4) May 29, 2018
In a day and age where Americans are divided on so much, it’s encouraging to see that many people still show proper respect for past, current and future servicemen and women.
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