The First Korean-American Officer Couple to Throw First Pitch and Bat in Professional Baseball Game

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] A Korean-American officer couple and crew members of the ROKS Yoon Young-ha will serve as the ceremonial first pitcher and batter in a professional baseball game. The protagonists are Captain Haneul (Korea Military Academy Class 71) and U.S. Army Captain Miles Gabrielson, the first Korean-American officer couple in the ROK-U.S. Combined Division, along with Lieutenant Son Kyung-mook.

The Korean-American officer couple (pictured) will take part in the ceremonial first pitch and first bat at the Kiwoom Heroes' home game held at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul in June, the Month of Patriots and Veterans.

Captain Haneul, daughter of Ha Hyung-joo, a gold medalist at the 1984 LA Olympics and professor at Dong-A University, married Captain Gabrielson, a West Point graduate, in February after serving together in the ROK-U.S. Combined Division.

At the home game against the Lotte Giants on the 29th, Lieutenant Son Kyung-mook, a crew member of the ROKS Yoon Young-ha, will throw the ceremonial first pitch in commemoration of the 19th anniversary of the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong. The ROKS Yoon Young-ha is a patrol ship named after Major Yoon Young-ha, the commander of the Chamsuri 357 patrol boat, who was one of six soldiers killed in action during the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong.

The Ministry of National Defense said, "The participation of active-duty Korean and U.S. soldiers in this ceremonial first pitch event, held in collaboration with the Kiwoom Heroes professional baseball team, adds significance," and added, "We hope this will serve as an opportunity to reaffirm the strength of the ROK-U.S. alliance and the spirit of sacrifice of our patriotic martyrs."