PDA

View Full Version : Cousin of Greene's Wife Among POWs Released in Iraq


GaryMrMets
04-14-2003, 11:35 PM
Cousin of Greene's Wife Among POWs Released in Iraq

By TIM KORTE
.c The Associated Press

SEATTLE (April 13) -- Texas Rangers catcher Todd Greene got an early wake-up call Sunday, and it came with welcome news: His wife's cousin was among the missing POWs released in Iraq.

Chief Warrant Officer Ronald D. Young Jr., 26, is an Apache helicopter pilot who was shot down in central Iraq on March 23. He was among seven POWs released Sunday by Iraqi troops.

Greene got word in a 5AM PT phone call from his wife, Vanessa. As far as he knows, Young was in good health and spirits.

"He looked good to me on TV,'' Greene said shortly before the Rangers played the Seattle Mariners.

"He looked like he was running off that helicopter to get on an airplane,'' he said. "He had a smile on his face. I don't think you can ask for anything more than that, other than to get him back on our soil.''

Greene learned of Young's capture during a spring training game last month, after manager Buck Showalter pulled him out of action and told him to call his wife. Greene said his family is close.

"I'm just relieved it's over,'' Greene said. "Well, it's not over because we have men and women who are still putting lives on the line.

"But at least for Ron, for his mother and father and brothers and sisters, it's a relief to know he's alive,'' Greene said. "They know he's going to be OK, so that's a real big relief.''

04/13/03 15:45 EDT

Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

GaryMrMets
04-15-2003, 03:23 AM
Rangers Sign Jersey for Rescued POW

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas Rangers players signed a jersey to send to Chief Warrant Officer Ronald D. Young Jr., one of the seven American POWs rescued last weekend.

Young is the cousin of Rangers catcher Todd Greene's wife.

The 26-year-old Young, an Apache helicopter pilot, was shot down in central Iraq on March 23. He and six other POWs were released by Iraqi troops Sunday.

The Rangers signed a No. 1 jersey that has Young's name on the back of it.

Greene got a phone call at 5AM PT Sunday from his wife with the good news that Young was safe. Greene started Sunday for the Rangers, catching all 13 innings and hitting a home run in a 4-3 loss to Seattle.

Greene learned of Young's capture during a spring training game last month, after manager Buck Showalter pulled him out of action and told him to call his wife.

Copyright 2003 The Associated Press and SportsTicker. The information contained in the AP news and SportsTicker report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press and SportsTicker. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.