Pennsylvania National Guard member honored by Phillies legend

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - FOX 29 and the Philadelphia Phillies honored a local member of the Pennsylvania National Guard Tuesday.

Sergeant first class Ryan Piersol has served in Afghanistan and Iraq on three separate deployments.

He has also worked on counter drug program -- and he's a huge Phillies fan!

Sergeant First Class Piersol visited Good Day Philadelphia Tuesday morning to talk about his experiences and to receive one huge surprise from the Phillies.

Piersol, from Lebanon, PA, joined the military in 2001 at the age of 18.

At first he says he joined to help finance his college education. But eventually, he said that working full time in the National Guard became his primary focus, and college became secondary.

He just returned from his third tour of duty in Afghanistan in August.

One of the things that Piersol misses the most aside from his family and loved ones when he is away is his favorite sports team - the Philadelphia Phillies.

So to thank him for his dedicated service to our country, FOX 29 surprised him with a visit from Mickey Morandini, a former Phillies second basemen who was a part of the squad that won the 1993 World Series.

Morandini announced that the Philadelphia Phillies, ESF, and Liberty USO are inviting Piersol down to Florida to attend the Phillies Phantasy Camp to play with Phillies legends.