 |
Yogi honored for Navy service
By: Jeff Dufour
Examiner Columnist
09/23/09 4:12 PM EDT
Tuesday was a baseball-centric day in the nation’s capital. And no, it had nothing to do with the Washington Nationals.
After Tommy Lasorda’s portrait was hung in the National Portrait Gallery in the morning, it was Yogi Berra’s turn at night.
The Yankee Hall of Famer was one of three recipients of the Lone Sailor Award, bestowed annually by the Navy Memorial Foundation.
Introduced by his three sons, Berra discussed his service in World War II, particularly during the D-Day invasion.
“We were the first ones in, 300 yards off Omaha Beach, shooting rockets,” he said.
Also honored were Leonard Lauder, former president and chief executive officer of Estee Lauder, and Fred Smith, the founder of FedEx.
But the line of the night came from the legendary Gen. P.X. Kelley, the former commandant of the Marine Corps. “I never learned how to use a teleprompter,” he said. “So therefore I withdraw my nomination to be president of the United States.”
Yogi Berra with his wife, Carmen Berra and Medal of Honor winner Tom Hudner.
Photo: Jeff Malet
Follow The Examiner
