KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A hero’s moment in the spotlight, Purple Heart recipient, retired Sgt. Lonnie Gaudet received a standing ovation during a special tribute at the Savannah Bananas game over the weekend.
It was a moment that captured the hearts of many at Kauffman stadium.
Gaudet surprised a sold-out crowd at Kauffman Stadium when he stepped up to the plate Saturday.
“It was very humbling as well as being extremely exciting,” Gaudet said. “I love being able to give back to the game that gave to me and so to be 25 years out of that thought process that the big leagues are going to be a thing, and to have an opportunity to step on a major league field, in front of a sold out crowd, with my family present and to get a hit, like are you kidding me, it couldn’t have been any better than that. I have the Jesse and the Savannah Bananas and they’re amazing staff to thank, for such a highlight in not just my life, but my kids’ life and my wife’s life.”
The Savannah Bananas honored this veteran who’s been awarded two Purple Hearts for his service. Gaudet enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2009.
Beyond the Purple Heart awards, Gaudet also received a Combat Infantry Badge and Army Commendation Medal with Valor, for saving the lives of two fellow soldiers.
He said in 2010, a bomb or destructive device hit his unit.
Lonnie sustained several injuries including shrapnel to his shoulder, hearing loss, and a traumatic brain injury.
Six months later, while on another patrol, Lonnie stepped on a land mine. He lost his right lower leg.
“When it happened, it was kind of like getting the wind knocked out of you,” Gaudet said, “I just couldn’t see my battles and I was just concerned where they were because it was just a cloud of dust and I had a friend that was like, ‘Hey, you can’t get up.’ I’m realizing at that moment, it was me who was injured.”
He later medically retired from the U.S. Army.
Through rehab and recovery, Lonnie leaned on faith. He also joined the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team, now known as the USA patriots.
It’s a nonprofit that brings athletic and veteran amputees together.
“It’s been a lot of hard work,” Gaudet said. “God has blessed me with an opportunity to continue moving forward and be an example for my children through adversity.”
On Saturday, Gaudet’s wife, Kate, their four kids and thousands in the crowd cheered as he hit the ball and ran to first, living out a dream.
“When he hit the ball the team all ran to first and they were like, family go, go, go and we all just took off,” Kate said, “Nothing will ever beat that moment.”
“People were showing us videos we’re like oh my gosh, everybody’s chanting USA, USA, USA. We never heard it on the field,” Gaudet said. “The players around us were so loud, screaming and shouting. It was such an amazing celebration.”
Lonnie encourages people to keep moving forward — even if the path doesn’t look like the one you planned to travel.
He understands being resilient is not easy but says it’s worth it.
“If you just keep trying you will succeed,” Gaudet said. “I got to do exactly what I dreamed of as a kid just in a different avenue and it was still just as awesome, so just don’t quit, there’s always a better day.”
Lonnie is grateful to the several organizations that help veterans, noting they assist through his rehab and recovery, including 4 The Fallen.
“They have gotten me to my prosthetic appointments, they’ve helped with finances, they helped get me on stage to do the body building competitions,” Gaudet said. “My recovery has been amazing because of my support system and not just my support system at home, but in organizations around the country helping out, you know, when you just couldn’t do it on your own.”
