Glen Strandberg
Sports Editor

They say time speeds up as you get older. However, time can also perform the impossible trick where what seems like so long ago can also feel like yesterday.

Nearly 40 years ago a group of young men were sworn into the Marine Corps at a Minnesota Twins game. The date was June 28, 1967, and the scene took place at the old Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington. The fun and innocence of taking in Americaís National Pastime would quickly disappear for these newly enlisted Marines, as the members of what would be called the Twins Platoon would be on their way to boot camp before the end of the fourth inning.

On Sunday, July 2, approximately 30 members of the original 150 were honored by the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis in a pre-game ceremony. The recognition occurred during the Twins fourth annual Armed Services Appreciation Day.

As the author of ìThe Twins Platoon, An Epic Story of Young Marines at War in Vietnam,î Chris Sauro of North Branch played a large role in the event

Members of the Twins Platoon spread across the infield and were introduced before Sundayís baseball game. A video featuring Sauro and the platoonís experience in Vietnam played on the stadiumís Jumbotrons.

Today and yesterday had collided and were on full display in front of 46,000 spectators.

The publicís positive response to ìThe Twins Platoonî has gone way beyond what Sauro ever expected.

ìI gotta say, itís even better than I was hoping,î he said. ìIíve been getting card, e-mails, letters...the end product just fulfills my wildest expectations.î

Released by Zenith Books on March 15 of this year, ìThe Twins Platoonî is already in need of a second printing.

ìItís been getting really good reviews, and it seems to be selling well,î Sauro said. ìAnd then the stuff people are saying is whatís really rewarding.î

Terry Marlowe was a member of the platoon and was also interviewed for the book. Prior to the ceremony he offered a few thoughts about what Sauro described as his calling as well as the reunion.

ìIt showed a different side of what happened,î he said when comparing the book to otherís that have been written about Vietnam.

ìIt feels kind of funny to see all of the guys again because we all went our own, separate way. Itís kind of weird. Good weird, just to see them again.î

Sauro was selected to throw out the gameís ceremonial first pitch, but it seemed like the individual attention was an awkward fit for someone who admits, ìIf I wasnít the author I wouldnít be out there throwing the first ball.î

While Sauroís toss will not earn him any lucrative contract offers with a major league team, his words have helped a lot of people understand and recuperate after so many years have passed.

They also say time heals all wounds.

ìAs a result of people reading the book, theyíre thanking the Twins Platoon for their military service,î Sauro said.

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