March 25, 2002
On Monday, the University of Missouri baseball team took a trip to Whiteman Air Force Base. The Tigers got a quick briefing from Brig. Gen. Tony Przybyslawski before getting a chance to see the B2 stealth bomber up close and personal.
The Tigers got to visit the cockpit and look at other areas on "The Spirit of Kitty Hawk," while it was in its dock or hangar on the flight line. "The Spirit of Kitty Hawk" is one of 21 B2 bombers in the U.S. Air Force.
"What I got out of today was an appreciation to go out and play baseball everyday. I'm just so proud of being an American and having the luxuries of having a stealth bomber on our side," said outfielder Jayce Tingler. "We really don't have the worries that people in the Middle East do. It makes me a little more appreciative for everything that my parents have given me and the country I live in."
Tingler was not the lone Tiger impressed with the trip.
"Knowledge-wise, I think (Monday's visit to Whiteman) informed everyone and also really put everything in perspective," said infielder Tony Vitello. "Anytime something happens like us coming up short yesterday, you have to keep things in mind, like what happened Sept. 11, and know what things people are sacrificing for our country every day. That type of stuff makes the game look minuscule. I think the thing everyone should take from today is where are their priorities and how lucky we are to go to college and play baseball.
The day was also informative.
"I had no idea that the B2 flew out of Missouri," said Tingler. "I had always heard people say that if something was going to happen, like a major war, Missouri was going to be one of the first places hit. I now know why as that base is so powerful. I didn't know we had that kind of firepower or technology available here. It was pretty cool to see that up close and personal."
A special thanks goes to T Sgt. Dan Vargas, T. Sgt Lisa Polarek and 2nd Lt. Kat Ohlmeyer of Whiteman Air Force Base for making the trip possible.