Extend 'hero' tributes to first responders

As I was set to step out of the dugout, my nerves rattling inside, I turned to Maurice, a 30-year White Sox security veteran and former Cook county law enforcement officer, and asked him to support me if I needed it. We talked for an inning about past military service, the perception of first responders both past and present, and the current state of our beloved White Sox.

Little did we know that the tragedy in Orlando that morning would influence my experience at the game. As someone who works on countering ISIS propaganda, I was already convinced the Orlando shooter was a deranged individual who acted out a sick demented hatred and belief system.

My days are filled fighting these types of people. Later we would learn that first responders like Maurice risked their lives and saved many in Orlando that morning.

Since that day, we've seen the tragedy in Dallas last week and the sacrifices and bravery of first responders in an unimaginable chaos.

These officers and first responders are true unsung heroes.

Maurice was helping me calm down and prepare to accept, reluctantly, the White Sox "Hero of the Game" award during the third inning of that Sunday game in June. I say "reluctantly" because I don't think of myself as a hero - my service is that of just another Marine. However, that experience will forever live as a special day for not only me but for many of my family and friends and who were in attendance - especially a day after we all gathered together to give a final farewell to my older brother Marty.

What I experienced on that day was nothing I could ever imagine and had no idea beforehand what I was going to experience. I know that my fellow service members realize that it was not me individually who the wonderful people in Sox park that afternoon were praising, but it was for all of those who serve - past and present - and who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

When it came time to go out onto the field and listen for Sox announcer Gene Honda start to introduce me and describe my military service, I was astounded by the reaction of the crowd, not because they got to their feet and cheered (that's normal) but how much louder and louder they got as Gene continued to describe my Marine Service. In fact, it got so loud I could no longer hear Gene's voice, and for a short moment, I felt as if I had just hit a grand slam in the World Series, just like Paul Konerko did in 2005 (I know because I was there, too).

Looking back, I think there was a little more cheer that "hero day" due to the recent events in Orlando and partly due to my service countering ISIS at U.S. Central Command.

But the intro and announcement were just the beginning of my experience. It continued when the White Sox team themselves helped me run up the stairs to receive high-fives and handshakes. That's when I realized this was not going to be a 90-second tribute. What I experienced the rest of my time there was incredible, and something greatly needed in our communities and neighborhoods today: a "hero."

One after another they came - former Marines, future Marines, friends of service members and many other fellow service members who kept coming up to me for a picture, a handshake, a hug, free beverages, etc.

Best of all I got to meet many young boys and girls asking their mommy and daddy if they can go up to meet the "hero" and shake his hand. Even the Sox security staff reached out to me and thanked me for my service, and that's when I realized this is more than honoring a regular Marine like myself but for all those who serve in all our communities every day.

I asked every Sox security staff person I met if they were a first responder and the answer always was yes. As the game had come to a disappointed end (Sox lost), Maurice and another Sox Security staff member who also was named Maurice, took the time to let my family and friends go out onto the field and take photos near home plate.

I couldn't thank the Sox organization and their sponsors enough for the experience and have only one request for them and other professional teams who honor vets, and that is to extend the "hero" tribute to our neighborhood heroes - our first responders - just like the two Sox security staffers named Maurice, as well as for those who have to storm a nightclub at 2 a.m. to stop a deranged killer or see their brothers and sisters in blue gunned down by an angry assassin.

We celebrated the 4th of July last week. With the spirit of that holiday in mind, I hope all our citizens will take a moment to be thankful for all those who serve and sacrifice to keep us safe both home and abroad.

Lt. Col. Matthew Coughlin, USMC, formerly of Vernon Hills, is deputy chief information officer at USCENTCOM in Tampa. Florida, countering violent extremist organizations' propaganda and recruiting.