< Previouswww.ausa.org10 AUSA Extra | October 5, 2023 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY Chapter sponsors softball game for wounded warriors Players from the USA Patriots, formerly known as the Wounded Warrior Amputee Soft- ball Team, and Team AUSA from the association’s Redstone-Huntsville chapter pose for a photo during the chapter-sponsored Military Appreciation Night. (COURTESY PHOTO) S upporting the nation’s wounded warriors, the Association of the U.S. Army’s Redstone-Hunts- ville chapter on Sept. 16 sponsored the USA Patriots Amputee Softball Game and Military Appreciation Night. Formally known as the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team, the USA Patriots beat Team AUSA 17–9 in nine innings during the annual softball game hosted by the Rocket City Trash Pandas in Madison, Alabama. “This is one of our most exciting events of the year,” said Marc Jacob- son, the chapter president, according to the Redstone Rocket. “Funds raised support the team’s camps for amputee youth that teach skills and confidence in both sports and in life.” Many USA Patriots team members expressed their appreciation for the support from the AUSA chapter and the local community. “It’s a blessing to come here,” USA Patriots third base- man Brent Nadjadi said, as reported by the Redstone Rocket. “The broth- erhood and camaraderie of our team keeps us motivated and inspired, and that keeps us moving forward.” Nadjadi, who lost his legs in an IED blast in 2010 in Afghanistan and medically retired as an Army staff sergeant in 2013, went 4-for-4 with a walk, one run batted in and a run scored during the game. “We were lucky to start playing and end our season with zero injuries and many runs. A big thank you to all of the sponsors ... and everyone that sup- ported the AUSA organization,” said Manny Del Rio, a USA Patriots out- fielder who had three hits. Del Rio lost his right leg below the knee in 2005 near Yokosuka, Japan, when he was crushed by an F-18 jet. He medically retired from the Navy in 2007. About 500 people attended the event, and two future soldiers—Tyler Best-Livermore and Matthew Rodri- guez of Bob Jones High School—took the oath of enlistment from Col. Stan- ton Trotter, a chaplain with Army Materiel Command. Best-Livermore and Rodriguez were recruited by Sgt. 1st Class Jarod Small of the Hunts- ville Army Recruiting Company. The AUSA chapter’s Young Profes- sionals arm has been coordinating the event for the past decade, Jacobson said. “If you worry that sadness and sympathy would be your main emo- tions, you’d be wrong,” he said. “What you’ll come away with is joy and inspi- ration from what these athletes and veterans can do.” AUSA members support anniversary of Operation Market Garden Members of AUSA’s GEN Creighton W. Abrams chapter set up a static display of World War II memorabilia Tuesday at an event commemorating the 79th anniversary of Operation Market Garden at U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden, Germany. (AUSA PHOTO) GEN Creighton W. Abrams Redstone- HuntsvilleView the Oshkosh RCV at Booth 739 DELIVERING THE FUTURE OF COMBAT Based on decades of innovation, development, and testing, the Oshkosh RCV is soldier-centered, purpose-built, and ready now to exceed the demands of nearly any mission. The evolution continues. THE BATTLEFIELD EVOLVES. SO DO WE.Next >