Reservists meet Braves at game Published Sept. 19, 2008 By Erin Tindell Public Affairs ATLANTA, Ga. -- Military members from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Naval Air Station Atlanta and nearby Army units got a special treat when they were invited to attend a Braves game Sept. 10 at Turner Field against the Colorado Rockies. Nearly 50 servicemembers from the Navy, Army and the 94th Airlift Wing were invited near the field to meet and greet Braves' general manager Bobby Cox and players like Jeff Franceuor and Jeff Bennett. The 94th Honor Guard was also invited to present the colors during the National Anthem. The game was an annual event coordinated by Carol Sonnenfeld, member of the Marietta Kiwanis Club and the wife of a retired Air Force colonel. Ms. Sonnenfeld has spear headed the military appreciation game for several years in an effort to give back to the troops. On a warm, late Summer evening, servicemembers dressed in crisp short sleeved blues, BDU's and all white Sailor uniforms piled into seats of a front row section just right of home plate. Minutes later, Bobby Cox came out to an enthusiastic applause from the crowd. Soon after, Col. Steven Clayton, 94th Operations Group commander, presented Mr. Cox with an engraved plaque that contained patches from all military service branched stationed at Dobbins. Afterward, Mr. Cox graciously spent nearly 30 minutes to make sure he signed a baseball for everybody in the stands and take pictures. While the Braves players warmed up in the field, some of them took turns to take a break and say hello and sign baseballs, jerseys and even a bat that one Sailor brought with him. "The Marietta Kiwanis Club took care of us not only through giving us tickets, but during the game they offered more money to make sure all the troops had enough refreshments," said Maj. Marcus Smith, 94th Logistics Readiness. "They were first class in their support for all the troops."
