The Marines absolutely had a blast these past 3 days at spring training. The corpsman told me that it was like group therapy for the Marines. He saw them smiling, laughing, bonding and most importantly being told that people cared about them.

Barry, Jake and the other players should be proud of what they did for these Marines. Sitting around a hospital getting physical therapy for months on end gives Marines a lot time to think. In fact, one of the Marines was in such a difficult state that he couldn’t leave his room or talk. Friday night was the first time he has spoken since returning from Iraq after three different tours of duty.

For the months of rehab ahead, these Marines will be thinking about how on one Friday night in March, numerous Major League Baseball players thought enough about them to take time away from their friends and family to be with them. It was a special night that will not be forgotten by these Marines.

Richard Williams
Wounded Marine Foundation, San Diego

Dear Barry,
My name is Private First Class Adam Sampson. I am one of the wounded soldiers you meet with in Scottsdale, Arizona during spring training game versus the A's. I hand wrote a thank you note and sent it to the giants care of you, I figured you must get a lot of mail and don't have much time during the baseball season.

I would like to extend my gratitude to you and your foundation Strikeouts For Troops. I can tell you first hand you made a lot of those guys days that were there, especially mine. I have always been a huge sports fan and wanted to go to college to play baseball but joined the Army instead.   And to just step out on to the field was a life altering experience. You made a dream of mine come true that day. I just wanted to thank you Sir. Have a safe and happy holidays.

Thanks again,
Adam Sampson

I am writing to thank Barry Zito and all of the members of Strikeouts For Troops for helping me with a very generous gift to my family and me.  The grant couldn't have come at a better time to ease some of our financial burdens.  It took a hue load off my wife's shoulders, which allowed her to be a mother to our three children.
 
I always check now to see how the Strikeouts For Troops players are doing because I know how much each strikeout or hit means to all the troops and their families.  
 
Keep up the good work and than you for everything you do for the troops and their families.

SPC JAMES JOHNSON
US ARMY

Although I was indirectly affected by your foundation I really appreciate everything you guys are doing. I'm a 24 year old disabled combat veteran who sees the value of your support as I struggled through the healing process with inadequate support. I got out of the Army last year and started pitching for Santa Rosa Junior College, without the help and support of others I would have struggled getting my life back on track and I appreciate and thank your organization for helping my brothers in arms.

Sincerely,

Jason Gustavson

I can't tell you how IMPRESSED we were with the event last night!!!
Wonderful venue, so organized, fantastic entertainment, and it wasn't horribly crowded so it was very pleasant!    We ended up just hanging out by the stage 'cause it was more fun, but I loved having the option of going upstairs to eat.
 
We bought a bunch of raffle tickets and t-shirts and a Rachel CD ....
We made a donation so this way it will ALL go to the troops fund!
 
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!
 
Go Barry!
 
Carrie

The Strikeouts For Troops Giants Jam was such a great night!  Thank you for working so hard to make it so special! It will help so many soldiers and their families in desperate need of knowing someone cares about them.

I had a wonderful time! I hope that sharing my experience of being injured and my journey to recovery with the people there helped them to understand how important Strikeouts For Troops is.

Love, Stephanie

I watched a TV program regarding Strikeouts for Troops and was inspired by
Mr. Zito's program to help those who protect our freedom.  I am a 1st
Lieutenant and Air Force Pilot at Travis AFB, CA, approximately 45 miles
from Oakland.  

I was curious as to if Mr Zito or any of his fellow baseball
players had ever visited the large military hospital at Travis AFB.  We
regularly fly in wounded soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan weekly who are
away from their loved ones.  

I would be honored to help set up a visit for Mr Zito or any other person who could inspire those who fight for our country and were wounded in the process.

Best regards,

ERIC J WALDO, 1LT
USAF

A month ago I wrote you a letter asking for help financially. Today I am writing again to thank all the people who are involved in the organization. Having my husband in ICU for the past four months has been very hard on myself and my kids and just getting by day by day was tough. Receiving the grant helped me to pay for my overdue bills.

Thank you so much and my God Bless you all.

Greatfully,

Chief Dulay and Joan Dulay

Although I was indirectly affected by your foundation I really appreciate everything you guys are doing. I'm a 24 year old disabled combat veteran who sees the value of your support as I struggled through the healing process with inadequate support.

I got out of the Army last year and started pitching for Santa Rosa Junior College, without the help and support of others, I would have struggled getting my life back on track.

I appreciate and thank your organization for helping my brothers in arms.

Sincerely,

Jason Gustavson

Today we received the Strikeouts For Troops donation. We are overwhelmed by the generosity. Just this past week three more Marines were admitted to the Naval Regional Medical Center (Balboa Hospital), so the funds will be used to assist the families coming to visit them as well as arranging for other injured Marines' families to come back to the hospital for re-visits. In the past three months, we have provided financial assistance to approximately 40 injured Marines and their families. Assistance such as hotel rooms, rental cars, meal vouchers and air line tickets. With the Strikeouts for Troops support, we will continue to assist these young Marines.

There are currently 54 Marines in the hospital here in San Diego. 38 were injured in Iraq and 5 from Afghanistan. The balance were injured on duty during training for their deployments.

Again, on behalf of the Marine Corps League, please pass along my sincere thanks to Barry and all the players for the generous donation.

Richard A. Williams
San Diego, CA

We all appreciate what you are doing. 

Thank you.

SGT Scott Platts   

I am a 21-year-old military wife, with two very young children.  My husband, 23, has served in the Middle East during this war, as well as Tsunami Relief and countless other missions in his almost six short years of service.  Though he has never been admitted to any hospital for wounds sustained during his service, he has, unfortunately, been hit in the chest with enemy fire, I thank God everyday for that Kevlar vest.

My older brother grew up adoring the A's.  I've always been a Yankees girl myself, which is how I found out about this organization.  When Alex Rodriguez signed on, I saw the press release and had to find out more.  This is a wonderful thing you are doing, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

I have many friends who have either not returned from "The Sandbox," as we military wives refer to it, or have returned seriously injured.  A lot of people don't really understand what's going on in a war zone, but unfortunately, I do.

To Barry Zito and all the players participating in Strikeouts For Troops – you will always hold a special place in my life.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you are doing.

Megan

Thank you so very much for the generous gift of money.  I have been so grateful for each instance of kindness.  I was grateful to do my small part in keeping our freedoms and keeping the fight off the U.S.

Thanks again.

Spc Nick Bratland

What would we have done without your help?  We thank you so much.  Please continue to pray for my family—we really need it so much.  This has been a year for us…but God sent people like all of you to help.

Thanks.

The Skellen Family (Sgt Marc Skellen)

My husband and I want to thank Strikeouts For Troops for the grant we received. It helped us so much.  We appreciate your kindness and generosity.

Eric and Matt Regensburg 

I have a son in the 3rd Battalion 7th Marines. He was wounded last year in a battle in Rahmadi.  His lieutenant and his vehicle commander were killed.  Although my son is doing well, he was hit in he shoulder with 5 pieces of shrapnel, yesterday, I read an article in Newsweek about the standard of care that our wounded soldiers are receiving and a cold chill ran down my back.    What concerns me is he goes back in April - the same city and now he is the vehicle commander.  With my many concerns of what may happen to him while he is there, I am also concerned what may happen when he gets back.

It is truly reassuring that there are private citizens that have taken their time and finances to help those families in need and I for one am truly grateful for your example.  Hopefully, our government can be inspired to do the same.
 
Thank you

David Mince - Proud father of Lance Cpl. Cory D. Mince 

My name is Kris, wife of an active duty army officer…and crazed baseball fan.  Thanks so much for even thinking of us.  It makes me mad to see that Cameron’s Diaz’s scuffle with a photographer or some movie stars rehab make bigger headlines than what any soldier is going through.  It is American though…so thanks for keeping everything in perspective and remembering those who sacrifice so people like all of you can live the American Dream.

Kris Angerthal

God Bless EVERYONE who helps, acknowledges and supports our troops.  I’d like to see every team in MLB support this program!

THANKS AGAIN

W Finch
Owings Mills, MD

My name is Luke and I am a high school senior.  Because I am a senior, I have been busy applying to colleges.  Many of these colleges ask that I
write an essay and often I choose to write about Mr. Zito and Strikeouts For Troops. 

Most of these colleges are Catholic colleges so the questions are related to
Social Justice.  In these essays, I praised Mr. Zito and Strikeouts for
Troops for performing a great act of Social Justice.  Serving those who
served us is great form of service.  Seeing how I have written so much about you guys, I felt that I should let you know that someone appreciates your work.

With Great Appreciation,

Luke Waitrovich

Thank you for all that you are doing to help our soldiers and their families.  Thank God someone cares.

Shaun Sloan