(Photo by David Gordon)
The first pitch in game 2 of the World Series will be thrown by a former Saugerties resident and Vietnam War hero.
Roger H.C. Donlon will be on the mound in Kansas City for that first pitch. Donlon was the first American soldier to earn the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War and the first member of the Special Forces to earn that medal.
Although he is a native of Saugerties and visits frequently, Donlon said he is a Royals fan. “I’ve been living in Kansas longer than I have lived anywhere,” he said. In the past year, he and his wife have become supporters of the team – Donlon says they are like an extended family – and have attended every game. He will be bringing three grandchildren – all teenagers – with him to the game.
“I’m glad my grandchildren will be able to see it,” he said.
While Donlon is not a baseball player, he recalled that his three brothers played for Saugerties High School baseball teams, and one of his brothers played in college. One of his grandsons shows promise to become an outstanding ball player, he said.
Roger Donlon has been an honored son of Saugerties, with the Town Hall, the Village Hall’s second floor auditorium and the park behind the American Legion hall named for him. He said he feels honored by the town’s support, and “I always talk up Saugerties to people.”
Since retiring from the Army, Donlon has led a delegation to Vietnam, and a few years ago was there to work with people building a library.
The game starts tonight at 8:07 p.m.