My daughter, Ronny, called the other day as I had just returned from a baseball game.

“Daddy,” she said, “I’m glad you’re still active and just don’t sit home and watch television.”

Yes, I love high school sports, especially baseball and basketball. What I equally enjoy as well as the game are the interesting people with whom I get to associate.

Over the last four years, “Boomer” Newman and his wife, Lisa, have become my special friends. His son, Brady, “a work in progress” is the catcher on the St. Charles baseball team.

His son, Bryce, is not interested in sports, but enjoys academics.

Two weeks ago,at the St. Charles — Lutcher baseball game, “Boomer” introduced me to his friend, a young man named Jonathan Usey.

They noticed the U.S. Navy sweat shirt I was wearing, and “Boomer” said Jonathan was in the Navy. Now 29- years old, he had enlisted in the Navy three years ago.

He shared that in a couple of days he would be leaving for a tour of duty in El Salvador.

Curiously, I asked him what his duties were in the Navy. He related he was in Special Services and was assigned to the SWCC (Special Warfare Combatant Craftcrewmen) program. They are trained to back up the Navy Seals.

I called “Boomer” the next day to tell him I wanted to write about Jonathan. While he shared, I could feel the love in his heart as he spoke of Jonathan like he was one of his sons.

He had known Jonathan for 15 years, coached him at John Ehret High School and, after graduation and attending Delgado and Faulkner State in Alabama, returned to help “Boomer” coach at the school.

In today’s world, where many people are selfish and only concerned with what’s in it for them, it did my heart good to get to know Jonathan.

He is looking forward to his future  career in the Navy that will provide him an opportunity to get promotions, serve his country and make a comfortable and secure living for him and his wife.

Yes, I enjoy sports, but seeing “Boomer” that day and meeting Jonathan was the most exciting and refreshing part of the day.

Men like Jonathan help me to feel better about America.

If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477 or email hkeller@comcast.net.