Wasilla American Legion program has special way to honor soldiers killed in combat

WASILLA — Clancey O’Donnell never met Jessy Rogers. But the Wasilla Road Warriors first baseman has a special connection to Rogers, a Copper Center native who died while serving in the United States Army.

Above the number 28 on his American Legion baseball jersey, O’Donnell wears the Rogers’ name and hometown, and the date Rogers died in combat, July 23, 2007. It’s part of a program tradition started by former Road Warriors assistant coach Scott Ruta in 2014. Every player and coach involved the Post 35 American Legion baseball team wears the name of a different United States soldier who died in combat.

“I think it’s very unique,” O’Donnell said. “It means a lot. My dad served in the Navy. Just representing a fallen soldier I think is really awesome.”

O’Donnell said he’s learned a lot about Rogers.

“He was killed by an (improvised explosive devise) in Afghanistan,” O’Donnell said.

Rogers was 20 when he was killed while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom, according to online records. He was buried at the Fort Richardson National Cemetery in Anchorage.

“It is something I think about every time I put on the jersey,” O’Donnell said. “I have it hanging up, and I see his name every time I put it on. It’s a big deal.”

Wasilla head coach Ken Ottinger wears the name of Kurtis Arcala, a 2001 Palmer High School graduate who died while serving in the Army in Iraq, Sept. 11, 2005. Like Rogers, Arcala was also killed by an IED.

“Even though I never knew him, you end up getting a connection with him,” Ottinger said of wearing Arcala’s name. “We wear our jerseys with pride.”

Ottinger said he is happy to be able to help carry on the tradition.

“I love it,” Ottinger said. “I think we’re the only ones in the country to do it.”

Ottinger said he’d like to see that change.

“I’d really like to see more American Legion teams doing that, just for the fact that our kids get to know the story about someone who has made the ultimate sacrifice for us,” Ottinger said. “It kind of represents what American Legion baseball is all about.”

Ottinger every person in the program with a jersey have the name of a soldier killed in combat stitched to the back. The varsity players wear names of Alaskans.

“Once they get their jersey, we tell them they need to go and do some research and find out about their (soldiers),” Ottinger said.

Former head coach Myrl Thompson was at the helm of the program when Ruta approached him with the idea.

“I thought the idea was a great way to show your respect for patriotism,” Thompson said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.