The 18U Gold PA Chaos embarked on a project that gave greater meaning to life and playing softball. At the Diamond 9 Sun Classic Showcase, Chaos did something different. Each player wore a camo jersey with the name of a fallen soldier lost in service. As their names were announced on the field, so were the names of the fallen soldiers they honored on the back of their jerseys. Here are the players, the soldiers they honored and how this project has affected their lives:

Caela Abadie #98
Capt. Foster died on August 29, 2007,  serving our Country during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was just 29 years old when his unit was hit by small arms fire. He graduated from N. Allegheny High School in 1996 and Duquesne University in 2000. He was described by his men as a fine man and a daily motivator. Capt. Foster is survived by his parents and sister Abby Foster all of Franklin Park, Pennsylvania and sister Elizabeth Werkheiser, Missouri.

I have always been proud to wear the Chaos name on the front of my jersey, but to be able to wear and honor the name of Capt.Foster  on that same Jersey makes it exceptionally special. Wearing that jersey was a reality check. The realization that tomorrow isn't guaranteed, so we should all take advantage of every precious moment life has to offer.


Hannah Edwards #8
Fallen Solder: Army Pfc. Christopher W. Lotter
Age: 20 years old
Hometown: Chester Heights, Pa
Family: He is survived by his father, Barry, and his mother, Marlene.
Military unit: 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
Died: December 31st in Balad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when he was shot by enemy forces in Tikrit.

The story of my soldier really impacted my life. I have an older brother who is the same age as my fallen soldier, and I can’t imagine losing him. It gave me a greater appreciation for everything in my life. I am also thankful for the men and women who risk their lives everyday for our country.

I can honestly say that when I wear my camo jersey, I play for the name on the front AND the back. I am so grateful to be able to represent someone who has died for our country. It makes you step back and appreciate things more. Playing softball is such a privilege and blessing. By wearing this jersey, it makes me not only want to succeed for my teammates, but I also want to succeed for my fallen soldier and his family as well. I am privileged to represent these people on the softball diamond. I can now say I have my own “angel in the outfield.”


Sam Tomasetti #5 
Marine Sgt. David W. Wallace III died at age 25, hometown to Sharpsville, PA. He is survived by wife, Erica, son, Landon, daughter, Brooklyn, and mother Carol. David was assigned Second Combat Engineer Battalion. 

Sergeant David Wallace story has affected my life by showing me that young men and women are risking their lives for people in America to have freedom and be able to play a sport like softball. Without men like Marine Sgt. David Wallace III, we would not have brave, courageous, fun, loving people to look up to. Marine Sgt. David W. Wallace is a role model to me in many ways and after hearing his story, he changed my perspective on the way I live my life.

Wearing this jersey made me feel honor to be supporting not only Sgt. David W. Wallace III, but for all the marines who have risked their lives. Wearing these jerseys was also special because one of our very own Larry Robtison served as a marine. Being able to wear these jerseys made me proud and as a whole the entire team felt as if those warriors that were on the back of our jersey were with us that day.


Maggie Balint #25
I am wearing the name of Fallen Hero Army Staff Sgt. Ryan D. Maseth. He was 24 years old when he died in Badhdad on January 2, 2008 serving during Operation Iraqui Freedom. Ryan was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Fort Campbell, KY. His hometown is Pittsburgh, Pa and he has 2 brothers that both both served in special forces
 
Reading about Sgt. Maseth made me realize how lucky we are to live in a country with such brave people that are willing to fight and protect us. I felt a connection to Ryan because we have a few things in common, he has 2 brothers, and I have 3. We are both from Pennsylvania. Ryan was an avid planner, mapping out where he wanted to go in life just I have been doing this past year with college, softball and my future. He was doing what he loved and I believe that is such an important part of life and something I try to do.
 
It was an honor to represent Sgt Ryan on my camo jersey during our games this past weekend. The tribute was so much bigger than we ever imagined. The attention the jerseys received made me realize how many people are affected by war and how much they appreciate us for remembering those that serve this country.


Reva Alderman #17
My fallen soldier was is Michael R. Girdano, Army 2nd LT. He graduated from his dream school, West Point, in the spring of 2008. Growing up Michael was always known as a honorable man and a leader. Michael was 23 years old when he died in Afghanistan in August 2008, his vehicle encountered with a roadside bomb. Michael has a mother, brother and sister.  Every year following his death his family would participate in the PA Hero Walk in honor of Michael.  In 2009 Michael's father, Bob Girdano, was on his way to go over plans for the years Hero Walk when he was killed in a car crash.  

Michael's story has affected my life by inspiring me to never give up on my dreams and to lead in a humbled manner. From the beginning Michael's dream was to attend West Point and then serve for his country and that is what he did.  Many of Michael's classmates and friends states that Michael was the type of man who led by example and did not boast about his accomplishments, "a gentleman" is what most called him.  Michael has inspired me to not only led by example, but to be the person I was raised to be.  I was also inspired by Michael's fathers story, after his sons death he did not give up. He kept on moving on and living his life the way Michael would have wanted him to. 

To be wearing the Fallen Heroes jersey is an honor.  To represent those who have or who are currently risking their lives, so we can live freely in this country and play the game we love, there is no better feeling that.  When I play in this jersey for once I am not only playing for the name on the front of my jersey, but for the ones on mine and my teammates backs.  Having an uncle that is a fallen hero, wearing this jersey is a huge honor and I am extremely proud to represent these heroes.


Jordan Weaver #9
Air Force Staff Sgt. Brian P. Hause died October 23, 2008 while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom at age 29. His hometown is Stoystown, Pa. Brian was assigned to the 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. He was the father of two children, Lexie, 7, and Cody 4.

This soldiers story impacted my life by letting me know that each day you can not take for granted. Knowing that there are thousands of kids that lost a parent or both parents to war really hits hard. I feel we take our parents family and life for granted. And by hearing his story made me realize how precious our lives are not only to ourselves but to everyone around us. 

By wearing Sgt. Brian P. Hause. Name on the back of my jersey gives me a humble feeling of not only being able to play for my team and representing Chaos out on the field but getting to represent Sgt. Brian P. Hause witch is an even better feeling. Getting to play the sport I love for a man that risked his life for ours makes me want to wear his name on my jersey with pride and give it my all.


Megan Butts #13
Army Pfc. Michael R. Dinterman died at 18, hometown to Littlestown, PA. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Michael was very young and around the same age as myself which puts in perspective how short life can be and how you can’t take the people in your life for granted. I am honored to represent this soldier and the US Army because he fought for our country every day. It’s humbling to know he is being recognized as a hero when I wear the jersey.


Devyn Losco #24
My fallen soldier's name is Jason C. Kazarick, age 30. He was part of the U.S. Army and lived in Oakmont, PA with his fiancee, Susanne and her son, Tim. Jason’s story has forever left a mark on my heart. Whenever I am wearing my camo jersey, he is the person that gives me inspiration.  Jason was an incredible human being who always felt an urge to help others. I wish I could have met him, but it gives me great pride to be honoring him by wearing this jersey. I always want to play my best, but wearing his name on my back makes me strive towards perfection. I want to honor Jason for all that he has done. He is one of the reasons that my team and I get to play the game that we love. I will forever be grateful for all that he has sacrificed.  Jason may be gone, but never forgotten!


Mikaela Simons #23
Army PFC. James M. Yohn died when he was a 25 year old, expecting his first child. He sacrificed his life for our country and was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his bravery. Being able to wear his name on the back of my jersey is a huge honor and a daily reminder of how lucky I am for the opportunities I have because of the men and women who protect our nation. I am so happy to be able to represent him on the field and send condolences to his family.


Serenity Stewart #11
Brandon Lee Cyr was a Captain in the Air Force, hometown to Woodbridge, VA. He died at age 28. Captain Brandon’s story was very tragic. It’s very sad to hear a man that helped so many people died at such a young age. I think it was fate that my fallen hero was a man that grew up in the same town that I live in and was assigned to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois where I will be attending college. To learn about a man that not only did all he could for his country, community, and volunteering his time to the ROTC Program at a local high school is such an honor. Captain Brandon is remembered as not only a hard worker, but a great person which is all I strive to be. I thank him for his service.

Wearing the camo jersey is so much more than people think. By wearing it we are not only giving thanks but acknowledging all the lives lost, broken families, and the sacrifices these men and women make so that we are able to have opportunities. So many people came up to the team and thanked us for wearing the jersey, but it’s not us that they should be thanking. We honestly thank all of them for their sacrifices because without them we wouldn’t have the opportunity to play softball and do the things that we love to do. - Serenity Stewart