On Veterans Day, the Boston Red Sox honored the men and women who have served our nation by visiting the Rhode Island Veterans Home in Bristol, Rhode Island. The event gave residents a rare chance to see the team’s 2004 and 2018 World Series trophies up close and to meet former Red Sox catcher Bob Montgomery, who also works as a color analyst for NESN.
Celebrating service with a champion’s touch
Montgomery, a longtime Red Sox alumnus, expressed his gratitude, saying, “No way in the world could I ever say thank you enough to express how much I really feel and thank them for the kind of service they’ve given to our country.” His words resonated with the veterans, many of whom have limited mobility but remain spirited.
Gus Gomes, the Red Sox Fan Services supervisor, highlighted the organization’s long‑standing commitment to veterans. Through the Run to Home Base program, which partners with the Wounded Warrior Project, the team has supported the home for more than a decade. This year’s visit continued a tradition of presenting a Red Sox challenge coin to the oldest veteran on the premises.
Memories, photos and baseball talk
Residents eagerly posed for photographs with the gleaming trophies, collected Red Sox memorabilia, and chatted with Montgomery about favorite players and memorable games. “Not only about their service, but sometimes a couple of them wanted to talk about their favorite players in baseball, so we had a little fun with that,” Montgomery noted.
Even with mobility challenges—some veterans use self‑propelled chairs or walkers—Montgomery observed that their determination and “oomph” were inspiring. “A lot of them are only mobile to the point they have either a chair they operate themselves in or they have some sort of a walker, and it’s kind of nice to see someone that age still have that oomph in there to get it going,” he said.
Continuing a decade‑long tradition
The Red Sox’s outreach reflects a broader effort by professional sports teams to honor those who have defended our freedoms. By bringing the trophies, the team not only showcased its championship legacy but also reminded veterans that their sacrifices are remembered and valued by the community.
For the veterans at the Rhode Island Veterans Home, the day was a blend of nostalgia, patriotism and the simple joy of sharing a love for baseball. As the team departed, the sentiment was clear: the Red Sox’s visit was a heartfelt reminder that the nation’s heroes are never forgotten.
Original reporting: NBC 10 WJAR (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
