WWII veteran can’t hold back tears in conversation with Dori

Burke Waldron captured international headlines for the fun and exuberance he showed when throwing the ceremonial first pitch at Safeco Field on Memorial Day.

But the 92-year-old WWII veteran showed a much more somber side Wednesday when talking to KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson about why representing his country on the ballfield, and battlefield, are so important to him.

Waldron, who only recently retired, told Dori about how partaking in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. led him to his fateful toss on the mound. And even though it has been 70 years since Waldron served, the emotion was evident in his voice.

“The most powerful thing, of course, was to go into the Arlington cemetery,” he said, choking up. “It just feels like your brothers are still there and the women that served. And see what it is that we went to war to protect. It was just a great outing for me, and from then on folks kept track of me. And when the opportunity came [to throwing the first pitch], they said, ‘I think we have the guy who can throw the ball in.’”

Why are the emotions sill so powerful?

“Because it’s all connected with our country and preserving our freedom,” he said. “And to see the men and the women who gave their lives is just pretty powerful.”

As for the throw itself, Waldron said he hadn’t played baseball since his time in the military but he practiced throwing about a week ahead of time.

“Maybe the Mariners offer me the right kind of deal, I might take it,” he joked. “After it left my hand, I thought oh man I could have gone all the way but it was a good thing the catcher came up just a little bit to help me.”

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