Sparkman’s Alec Gallimore Trading In Baseball Glove For Army Mechanic’s Wrench
HARVEST- Sparkman senior athlete Alec Gallimore already knows how to wave the colors of the United States as he raises the American Flag for all home games for the Senators’ baseball team at Senator Field. A pitcher on the Senator roster will soon continue honoring the red, white and blue as he’s already enlisted in the U.S. Army where he will become a helicopter mechanic.
Once the 2019 season is complete and he graduates from Sparkman he will trade in his baseball glove for a mechanic’s wrench.
“My grandfather was in the military and some step-siblings are military so I’ve been around that influence all my life, so I went ahead and signed up last November,” said Gallimore, who is a left-handed relief pitcher for the Class 7A Senators. “I’m happy with my decision. I’m proud of what I’m doing as I know what I’m going to do after high school and not stressing about making a decision like many in high school do go through.”
Gallimore began playing baseball at age five at Phillips Park in nearby Monrovia. He also played hockey, football lacrosse and soccer, but just seemed to have a passion for baseball. Growing up, he also had the notion of some type of mechanical work, especially when he got his truck he currently drives, a 2003 Dodge Ram. The vehicle has 144,000 miles of road history.
“I’ve also had the passion for my truck and I love working on it when need be,” said Gallimore. “I’ve spent a lot of time watching videos of instructions on how to maintain and service helicopters. I really became interested in some type of mechanical work after I had to quit playing football due to an injury where I broke my back.”
His girlfriend is from a military family and she may join the Air Force in the medical portion of the service.
Once graduation arrives next month, Gallimore, who has a 3.2 grade point average, will attend nine weeks of basic training and then 20 weeks of AIT training at the military’s mechanics school. He said his future is laid out in a signed contract with the Army and he’s set for a possible long career.
“My life is in order and I’m proud to have something I look forward to as I have my life planned for me after high school,” said Gallimore.
In the meantime, Gallimore will make sure the U.S. flag is atop the flagpole at every Sparkman home baseball game where he proudly displays the colors he will protect as a member of the U.S. Military.
