Several veteran services organizations met prior to the game for a briefing on the color guard ceremony prior to the start of Saturday’s game. (City-Times photo)

By Brandi Makuski

The Guns & Hoses softball game on Saturday not only brought more than 1,000 people to Bukolt Park, it also brought $45,000 to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight.

The Honor Flight takes veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit war memorials and honor their sacrifice to the United States.

The game came to fruition thanks to the efforts of Stevens Point Police Chief Kevin Ruder, who organized the event and made an initial fundraising goal of $18,000. Thanks to the funds raised, three more Honor Flights this year have been scheduled. Each seat costs $500 but veterans fly for free thanks to private donations. Almost 40 veterans have been on a waiting list to take the Honor Flight- many of them having served in World War II.

The game began with 6 ceremonial pitches thrown by veterans from each major conflict dating back to WWII. Mayor Andrew Halverson served as home plate umpire.

The exhibition game between SPPD and SPFD lasted 7 innings and ended with the fire department whopping the city’s police at a score of 21-11