http://raleightelegram.com/201307215828
By The Raleigh Telegram
RALEIGH – A soldier from Raleigh got a standing ovation at a Major League Baseball game yesterday afternoon and was honored in front of thousands for his military service.
During the fourth inning in Saturday’s afternoon game, Sergeant First Class James Farrell stood along the front row in front of 37,601 fans at historic Fenway Park in Boston.
As announcers called out Sergeant Farrell’s name and recognized his service in the United State Army, the fans at the Red Sox and the New York Yankees game stood, clapped, and cheered for the soldier.
A Raleigh native, Sergeant Farrell has an outstanding military record. He is currently a United States Army Green Beret serving with the 3rd Special Forces Group.
During his military career, he has been awarded three Bronze Stars, which are awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement or service, and received the Combat Infantry Badge.
He has completed four tours of Afghanistan and just returned home this past April from his most recent tour overseas.
North Carolina is home to the men who wear the Green Beret and our state is where the U.S. Army trains these elite soldiers.
Special Operations soldiers train at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School located at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the largest military installation in the state and one of the largest in the world.
As part of their training, Green Beret soldiers take part in operation Robin Sage, an exercise which takes place several times a year throughout North Carolina. Soldiers are immersed in an unfamiliar setting in a civilian population and have to try and work with locals in a fictitious country known as Pineland.
“Throughout the exercise, Special Forces candidates and Robin Sage role-players not only conduct training missions such as controlled assaults and key-leader engagements, but also live, eat and sleep in these civilian areas,” says the U.S. Army.
The Boston Red Sox have been saluting American heroes such as Sergeant Farrell during baseball games to recognize those who serve their country.
“This season is the third in which the Red Sox have saluted such American heroes with a recognition during the game,” said the Red Sox in a statement about the Hats Off To Heroes program. ”The ceremony allows the teams and fans to thank those who serve our country and protect our freedom.”
This month, the baseball team said they are putting the spotlight on service, recognizing those in military service, those who engage in civil service, and those who are committed to community service.
Fenway Park, where Sergeant Farrell was honored yesterday, is home to the famous Green Monster wall and is one of the last historic baseball parks to be used in professional baseball. The stadium dates back to 1912 and still features a manually operated scoreboard. ::
Article Posted: Sunday, July 21st, 2013.