Phillies 'Tribute for Heroes' finalists announced
MINNEAPOLIS -- Major League Baseball announced the 90 finalists for its "Tribute for Heroes" campaign, a national initiative that recognizes veterans and military service members. Fans are encouraged to visit TributeForHeroes.com to view the list of finalists and vote for their favorite stories through June 30.
Three finalists representing the Phillies are...
Louis Namm from Thorofare, N.J., Army: Namm has worked 39 years for the VA in the Vocational Rehabilitation office in Philadelphia. As a sergeant in Vietnam, he stepped on a landmine while guiding his platoon. He lost both legs, but his actions saved his men. He received two Purple Hearts for Bravery and Injury. Namm is a passionate golfer. He took up the sport as a challenge and is now a semi-pro teacher. He also is lead instructor for the charity Amputee Veterans First Swing, which offers golf instruction to those with disabilities and those who teach golf to disabled individuals.
Kim Ripoli from Newport, R.I., Navy: Ripoli is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield and Operation Iraqi Freedom. She received several personal and campaign awards, such as the Presidential Unit Citation and Combat Action Ribbon. Her Pentagon experience (Senior Oversight Committee) with the Department of Defense and VA's Wounded, Ill and Injured programs, was key to her selection to spearhead the Naval Health Clinic New England (NHCNE) Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Center of Excellence program. Kim also played a crucial role in the inaugural 2009 United States Olympic Committee's Paralympics National Sports Camp at Naval Station Newport.
Raven Rossetti from Hawthorne, Calif., Air Force: After 23 years of honorable service in the Air Force, Rossetti retired in 2008 to have a son and pursue her career as a counseling psychologist. She wants to help returning service members overcome PTSD and military sexual trauma and learn to thrive. Rossetti ran as a volunteer Andersen Air Force Base's first-ever sexual assault response coordinator center and was awarded the meritorious service medal in part for her work there. In Guam she was the military liaison to the Guam Special Olympics committee, organizing 200 volunteers and running the logistical support required to make the event a huge success.