Soldier Surprised With Special Trip To Phillies Phantasy Camp On The Chris Stigall Show
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A soldier, father, and die-hard Phillies fan received a special surprise Thursday morning.
Dave Pukas, of Schuylkill County, enlisted in the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserves in 1984. He transferred to the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in 1986 and was deployed to Afghanistan in August of 2009, where he watched the World Series while skyping with his wife and kids back home.
He has also been a Phillies fan since birth.
"A day rarely went by that we didn't have the Phillies or Eagles on the TV or the radio. I believe Harry Kalas, Richie Ashburn, and Merrill
Reese were as much a part of our home as any other relative."
Thursday morning on the Chris Stigall Show on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, Pukas was surprised with a trip to Phillies Phantasy Camp in Clearwater, Florida by Admiral Thomas Lynch.
He will be attending the Phantasy Camp from January 20-24, 2016.
When he learned of the surprise, he said, "Thank you! I'm really looking forward to it."
Dave said the military had allowed him to get a little closer to the Phillies, and "every chance I get I'll take out the massive American flag, or attend an Eagles Military Appreciation game."
And soon, he will get about as close as possible.
In Clearwater, he will be given his own uniform and will train where the Phillies train.
For more information on Phillies Phantasy Camp, click here.