Wounded Warriors Meet NY Mets Star
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla., March 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Before he took a single swing, Pete Alonso knocked it out of the park.
The New York Mets first baseman and reigning National League rookie of the year shook hands, snapped pictures, and signed autographs for four Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) warriors ahead of a Mets spring training game recently.
All four warriors live in Florida but are New York City natives.
"I've always been a Mets fan, so it was a dream come true," said Marine veteran Lyndon Ortiz.
Alonso donated $50,000 to WWP after winning the Home Run Derby as a rookie at the All-Star Game last summer.
"To be so young — a new, rookie player — and to step on the stage the way that he did and to bring attention to an organization like Wounded Warrior Project…it's just unbelievable. He's so humble," said Army veteran Chris Gordon.
Connecting with the military comes easy for Alonso; his paternal grandfather served in the Army in World War II, and his maternal grandfather was a Marine in the Korean War.
"He's a young man who was raised right," said Army veteran Jeanette Nieves-Ayala. "His family must have instilled in him to give back. And the fact that he chose veterans…I feel that. I think that's an incredible choice for him."
Army veteran Javier Torres lives near Alonso's hometown of Tampa, Florida.
"To know we're still on players' minds, on peoples' minds, and we're not forgotten…it's a true blessing," Javier said.
You can join Pete in giving back to wounded warriors and their families. Warriors never pay a penny for any WWP program or service — because they paid their dues on the battlefield.
About Wounded Warrior Project
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers – helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more.
SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project