A Philadelphia Phillies Game to Remember

In early September, Compassus Chaplain Raymond Cieslak was visiting with our 99-year-old patient Earl Kreider of Phoenix, AZ—a World War II veteran of the Army Air Corps who flew 17 missions across the Pacific in a B-29 bomber. As the two watched a Philadelphia Phillies baseball game together during Earl’s We Honor Veterans pinning ceremony, Earl shared a simple but heartfelt wish: “My son and grandson are going in a couple of weeks to the Phillies game here in Phoenix, and boy, I would love to see my Phillies one more time.”

A Philadelphia native and lifelong Phillies fan, Earl had recently moved to Phoenix to be closer to his family. Raymond asked him, “If I could get you to the game, would you go?” Earl’s resounding “Yes!” set a chain of events in motion.

With the help of Nicole Phillips, vice president of Patient Transport Co. in Phoenix, AZ, transportation was generously donated, and connections were made with both the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Phillies. On game day, four generations of Earl’s family joined him for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Earl was treated like a true VIP: batting practice with the Phillies; meeting players, coaches, leadership and even the team owner; and watching the game from a complimentary suite. Both MLB clubs honored him, while Phoenix’s NBC 12 News captured the moment to share with the community.

Earl’s Compassus team, including Chaplain Cieslak and RN Kyle Lorah — also a Philadelphia native and Phillies fan — joined him for the unforgettable night.

What began as a simple wish became a celebration of service, family and lifelong love of baseball — a memory Earl and his loved ones will treasure forever.