FOX Sports, Royals team up with deployed Missouri National Guard unit

The 1st Platoon, 548th Transportation Company, Missouri Army National Guard sports their Kansas City Royal's gear in front of Scooter's. The bar is where the unit plans to watch the Royals game against the Detroit Tigers on August 6. The 548th is currently deployed to Afghanistan.

By Jennifer Archdekin
Ngmo.pao@US.ARMY.MIL

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - While currently deployed to western Afghanistan, the Missouri Army National Guard's 548th Transportation Company from Trenton will be showcased during a Kansas City Royals baseball game on August 6 as part of Armed Forces Day at Kauffman Stadium.

FOX Sports Kansas City will provide a live telecast of the Royals home game against the Detroit Tigers, shown worldwide on American Forces Network. Soldiers with the unit will watch the game live at 3:40 a.m., Afghanistan time.

"Soldiers are very excited to get a chance to see their Families at the game, while others are excited for their Families to see them on the Jumbotron," said Sgt. 1st Class Christine Chaney, truckmaster for 548th Transportation Company. "We are hoping to have the game playing in Scooter's on the big screen and have a little party."

During the game, FOX Sports Kansas City will show taped greetings and live interviews with some of the 170 deployed troops, as well as Family members at the stadium. About 550 Family members and friends are expected to be at the game to root for the Royals and cheer on their Citizen-Soldiers.

"Personally, this means so much to me," said Amber Burns, girlfriend of deployed 1st Sgt. Mark Richardson. "I am excited to be a part of bringing the 548th Transportation Company Soldiers, Families and the Royals together. I know I will be excited to see my Soldier and he is excited to be a part of the game we love so much."

Burns said this is a huge event for the Families because they have had limited contact with their Soldiers and this is the first time some of them have seen their faces in about three months other than in photos.

Fans attending the game are encouraged to bring banners and signs supporting the troops, and all fans are invited to send messages to the Soldiers via social media.

"We are excited to be able to have this piece of home for our Soldiers since they will be able to watch the game live and they will also have taped shout-outs," said Burns. "The Missouri National Guard and Royals baseball are both rich in tradition, and we are honored as 548th Transportation Company Families to be a part of it. There is nothing more symbolic of true American spirit than our loved ones serving in the military and an American baseball game."

Before the game, Families plan to tailgate giving them the opportunity to mingle with other Soldiers' Families. According to Burns, Families are spread across the state from northwest Missouri to St. Louis, and as far south as the Bootheel along with one family from Tennessee. On behalf of the other Families, Burns said she is grateful that FOX Sports has brought the group together during their separation.

"Their invitation to our Families offers each of us a brief respite from the everyday grind of missing our Soldiers and holding down the fort here at home," said Burns. "Their willingness to honor the 548th signifies their support of what all our loved ones do every day and lightens the load a little."

Citizen-Soldiers recently received a care package from the Royals that included team jerseys and caps.

This special Royals telecast is being produced by FOX Sports Kansas City in coordination with the Royals, American Forces Network, DVIDS and the Missouri National Guard.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please visit www.moguard.com and our social media sites:
www.facebook.com/Missouri.National.Guard; www.twitter.com/Missouri_NG; www.youtube.com/MoNationalGuard; www.myspace.com/missouri_ng; www.flickr.com/photos/missouriguard; www.blog.moguard.com