Wounded South Tampa Veteran to Throw Out 1st Pitch at Rays Game

Nearly two years after losing both legs and his right arm in a bomb explosion while serving in Afghanistan, Sgt. Michael Nicholson of South Tampa will throw out the first pitch at the April 22 Tampa Bay Rays game against the Yankees.

The 22-year-old Plant High School graduate was nearly killed July 6, 2011, when an improvised explosive device exploded while he was on combat foot patrol. attack on July 6, 2011 while serving in Afghanistan. Following multiple surgeries and month of rehabilitation, Nicholson was medically discharged from the Marines last month.

Now, two national nonprofit organizations are helping to build Nicholson a  "Smart Home" in South Tampa, custom designed to allow Nicholson to live as independently as possible.

The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and the Gary Sinise Foundation created the program, "Building for America's Bravest," to finance "Smart Homes" for wounded warriors.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was created in honor of fallen New York City firefighter Stephen Siller who ran through the Brooklyn Batter Tunnel on 9/11 to Ground Zero with 65 pounds of gear on his back to aid those trapped in the Twin Towers. Sillers perished that day.

Actor Gary Sinise also formed his foundation following 9/11 to support the victims of the terrorist attacks as well as the men and women fighting in the war on terror. Sinise's band, the Lt. Dan Band, named for the "Lieutenant Dan" character Sinise played in the 1994 film, Forrest Gump, plays 30 to 40 charity concerts a year to raise funds for the foundation.

The Lt. Dan Band is planning a benefit concert to raise funds for Nicholson's "Smart Home" May 10 at 7 p.m. at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. The Tampa Bay Rays are among the sponsors of the upcoming concert.

Tickets and information are available at www.SupportMikeNicholson.com.