Baseball players and coaches invited veterans, first responders, and educators to be honored at their game Tuesday

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

Small American flags were placed along the walkway leading toward the ballpark.

Large American flags were positioned atop the fence surrounding the bullpen.

A large sign was displayed behind the dugout.

This was not a typical baseball game in the Class 4A Greater St. Helens League.

This was the Honor Game at Union High School.

The Union Titans invited veterans, first responders, and educators to their game against Battle Ground on Tuesday.

Some players invited family members. Or family friends. Others invited strangers.

All who accepted those invitations share a command bond: They opted to work in service of others.

“We all love somebody who has helped fight for our country, or teaches, or is a first responder,” said Union sophomore Gunner Brungardt. “It’s really important to show them some recognition for it.”

The Titans — players and coaches — sported new hats specifically made for this day. They had camouflage baseball hats with the U displaying red and white stripes, with white stars on a blue background.

American colors for a day to celebrate America.

Korbin Hosman, a senior, recalled the day that the team was given the assignment, to reach out to those who served, or still serve, in some capacity.

“How many people can I invite?” he asked. “I wanted to jump on it as soon as possible.”

He asked Roy Dunn, his grandfather and retired Air Force. Plus a teacher, Thomas Gehrke, who used to be in the Air Force. And also his summer baseball coach, Chris Devlin, a decorated officer with the Portland Police Department. 

“These guys put everything on the line. It’s one of the best opportunities to say thank you,” Hosman said. “It’s an amazing, amazing opportunity to do this. I absolutely loved this idea.”

Brungardt wanted to invite his grandfather, a veteran, but he lives too far away and is not in position to travel after a recent knee surgery. Instead, he invited Alexa Hayes, Heritage High School Class of 2015 and a former member of the 82nd Airborne in the U.S. Army.

Oh, she also happens to be the daughter of Union assistant baseball coach Billy Hayes, also an Army veteran. This day was Billy’s idea. He was the longtime head coach at Battle Ground, so he wanted the Tigers to be in the other dugout for this special day. He also invited the Battle Ground High School JROTC to present the colors for the national anthem.

“I think it’s a really cool opportunity for us to play in front of a bunch of people that we know helped support our country, and fought for our country,” Brungardt said.

Alexa Hayes said it was her honor and privilege to attend this game. She thanked Brungardt for the invitation.

Lee Hunter, the head coach for Union, invited two educators who inspired him when he was younger — Bob Glafka and Norm Eburne. Glafka was Hunter’s wrestling coach decades ago at Fort Vancouver High School. Glaftka taught for 36 years and coached for 46. Eburne was Hunter’s college advisor.

Hunter also had Honor Day to teach his players about things that are more important than baseball.

“We coach to give back to the youth. Our Honor Game is a thank you to those who show the type of dedication that we are trying to instill in these young athletes,” Hunter said. “Veterans. Educators. First responders. That type of dedication is what we point to. That’s what it looks like. That’s what we want them to be.”

In all, more than 25 were recognized throughout the game. A player or coach handed each honoree with a commemorative coin, and each honoree was given the spotlight for an individual salute in between innings of the game.

“We just want to thank those people for all that they do,” Hunter said.