Veteran walks red carpet at World Series Published Oct. 26, 2011 By Master Sgt. Jerome C. Baysmore 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill -- Watching the playoff is one thing, but earning an invite with red carpet treatment at the World Series is another. Mona Bonick, 375th Air Mobility Wing Exercises and Inspections deputy chief and retired master sergeant, was honored with other service branch representatives at game one in St. Louis, Oct. 19. Bonick said she received a call from Major League Baseball officials that she was selected and would meet the First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden were there as part of Major League Baseball's "Welcome Back Veterans" program, as well as the first lady's "Joining Forces," which is a national initiative to give service members and their families the opportunities and support they have earned. "This is when I really started thinking this is a really big event," Bonick said. "Can you believe it? I actually not only got a chance to attend the 2011 World Series, but I got to meet The First Lady of the United States, what a great honor." Although she's been out of uniform for a few years, Bonick said she needed to make a few preparations beforehand. "Needless to say, I needed to make sure my uniform was up to par," she said. "I actually cut over six inches of my hair off so I wouldn't have the worry of being out of dress and appearance during the show. "This actually was a little harder than I thought, not the uniform or conforming to Air Force Instruction 36-2903, but the fact I was not able wear Cardinal red gear," she said. "Have I mentioned that I am a huge Cardinals fan?" Bonick said no matter what, her family will remember this day for the rest of their lives. "My family spent over 15 years serving overseas so the chance of attending the World Series was never presented to us. I can even remember clearly in 2006 when the Cardinals won the World Series we had to watch it on TV and just sit there, wishing we were at the game or even St. Louis for the rallys and celebrations," she said. "I had a lot of firsts this season at Cardinal Stadium. First time getting front row seats--twice, having the flag flown over the stadium in honor of my husband's military retirement and on the same day we were on the 'Kiss Me Cam,'" she added. "We attended our first National League Division Series game and our first National League Championship Series game, received a mock tour under Busch Stadium, met the First Lady Michelle Obama, went out in the field during a Cardinals World Series game, and by far the best, being able to attend the 2011 World Series. "I am still in shock of getting selected in the first place, now we just need the Cardinals to make my year and win the World Series."