Aug 20, 2010 11:14 pm US/Eastern
80 Veterans Attend Their First Red Sox Game
BOSTON (WBZ)
Watch the video here: http://wbztv.com/video/?id=91982@wbz.dayport.com
Led by a state police escort, 80 veterans experienced a Red Sox game they will never forget.
"I've never been to Fenway Park in my life. In fact this is my first professional game ever," veteran Samuel Bennett said.
All 80 of these men and women served in the United States military and are part of an organization called Soldier On.
The non-profit helps homeless veterans get back on their feet.
"It gave me a jump start on a new life," Bennett said.
Christina Roy served in the Navy for many years and later became addicted to drugs.
"It saved my life. It definitely saved my life," Roy said.
On Friday, thanks to the generous gift of Eyal Shapira these homeless veterans got the chance to experience the better side of life as they attended their first Red Sox game at Fenway Park.
"Tremendous. I can't put it into words. Mr.Shapira has been a great friend to soldier on and all the veterans," Bennett said.
They all sat in section 30 behind home plate.
"Today is a great day. Just coming to Fenway as a group as 80 Veterans," Soldier On Sr. VP. Michael Hagmaier said.
Each veteran was also given $20 to buy food and a drink at the game.
"These are a special group of people and if you're not going to help the homeless who are going to help?" Eyal Shapira said.