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Patriots celebrate service, stewardship

  • Published
  • By Capt. Antonia Greene-Edwards
  • 174th Infantry Brigade Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The 174th Infantry Brigade held its annual Patriot Ball June 28, 2013, at The Merion in Cinnaminson, N.J.

The ball's theme was service and leadership in the community with more than 400 military, family and friends in attendance. The evening's guest of honor was Jimmy Murray, co-founder of the first Ronald McDonald House and former general manger of the Philadelphia Eagles.

"I have given a lot of speeches, attended a lot of major events but tonight I am truly honored to be surrounded by so many men and women who have given so much of themselves for the good of others," said Murray during his dinner address.

Murray spoke about the many roles he has assumed through the years and how each one helped mold his commitment to the community and spur a series of charitable efforts. He shared several stories about his various experiences, using a bag of ball caps to illustrate how he changed hats during transitions from his days as a Marine to his time spent as a minor league baseball assistant manager, to Villanova University's sports director, and the Philadelphia Eagles general manager, and all the while interchanging his charitable organization ball caps. The hallmark of his speech, much like his life, is an enduring commitment to serve the community. In addition to co-founding the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, he helped start the Eagles "Fly for Leukemia" campaign.

"I knew nothing about charity work when I was first approached, but I knew I was in a position to make a difference," explained Murray. "As I look around the room tonight I see leaders, I see people who have already made a difference."

Murray spoke about what it takes to build a team. He talked about lessons he learned from the positions he earned and the ultimate goal of leaving behind a legacy as a steward to the community. Army Col. Craig A. Osborne, commander, 174th Inf. Bde., thanked Murray for sharing his stories about leadership and service.

"All of you know I love sports and competition, but this is not why we invited Mr. Murray here tonight," said Osborne. "It's about the lives he touched. Mr. Murray embodies the quote some of you may have read while in my office. On a plaque with a photo of Jackie Robinson stealing home on Yogi Berra, it reads: 'A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.'"

The Ronald McDonald Houses provide temporary homes, at little or no cost, for the families of children undergoing treatment for various illnesses at nearby hospitals. Started in Philadelphia in 1974, there are now over 300 Ronald McDonald Houses worldwide.