Members of VFW Post 9242 erected a new sign Nov. 15 at Veterans Memorial Park dedicated to Babe Ruth Baseball. This is just the latest project post commander Bernie Ramirez had brought before members for approval to pay for the materials and to volunteer their time to carry out the project.
Ramirez said that he and his wife often walk by the park and noticed the worn sign promoting Babe Ruth Baseball and he decided the VFW post should do something.
“I brought it to our members about getting Babe Ruth a new sign,” he said, adding the post came up with over $500 to pay for the materials. “We’re also helping getting the field ready for baseball season.”
There was no shortage of free labor.
“I figure we have one of the best VFW posts in California,” he said. “There’s no lack of volunteers. There’s the older ones and younger one.” He pointed to one member coming to join the others, “Here comes one of our young Marines. It’s a total team effort.”
Ramirez said that before the post could move forward, the project had to be approved by the Babe Ruth Council and the San Benito County.
“We had to send a drawing of what we wanted to do,” he said. “The county came out here and dug the holes and made sure there were no power or water lines. I wanted to get it up before Veterans Day, but unfortunately, we just had too many things going on.”
Greg Lopez, president of San Benito County Babe Ruth Baseball, said it was an honor to be able to play baseball and have the veterans supporting the organization — which offers teams for players ages 13-18 — as well as helping maintain the playing fields and landscaping around the property near the corner of Hillcrest Road and Memorial Drive.
“This new sign will hopefully last us many years here in Hollister,” he said. “We look forward to continue to partner with the VFW, the American Legion, and our community to provide quality baseball in San Benito County.”
Ramirez said the next project for the post will be erecting a new flagpole at San Benito High School.
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