Wells to be a part of Boot Campaign

CHICAGO -- Randy Wells has had to face a team's best hitter with the bases loaded and nobody out, but that's nothing compared to what U.S. soldiers endure in Afghanistan.

The Cubs pitcher will trade in his cleats for combat boots this week as part of the Boot Campaign, an initiative aimed at showing appreciation of the active military and raising awareness of the needs of miliary personnel.

"This one hits home," Wells said. "You think of what we get to do for a living, and that's not possible without the sacrifice of so many people. We acknowledge service members and veterans here at the games, but you forget about the stuff they have to go through when they return home. It definitely changes their life."

When Wells eventually retires from baseball, he'll most likely be able to relax, play his guitar and live a comfortable life. He said that's not the case for soldiers who've been in combat.

"It's different for someone who has been in heavy fire or combat or who's been in the mountains of Afghanistan and had to fight for our country and then try to live a normal, peaceful life," he said. "Post-traumatic stress disorder is a serious thing."

Wells and Cubs pitchers Kerry Wood, Ryan Dempster, Jeff Samardzija and Andrew Cashner, infielder Jeff Baker and manager Mike Quade all wore the boots in Spring Training in Mesa, Ariz. This week, those boots will be available for sale online, with proceeds going to the Boot Campaign, which has the motto "When They Come Back, We Give Back."

Wells, 28, became involved because of his musician friend Stoney LaRue, who served in the military. At a fundraiser event this offseason in Texas, LaRue introduced Wells to Marcus Luttrell, author of "Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10." A Navy SEAL, Luttrell was the only survivor of the operation, staged in northern Afghanistan in June 2005.

"When I went down to the charity event and saw how much this book touched so many people, I got it and read it," said Wells, who has a cousin enrolled in the service, but who has yet to be assigned overseas.

"It's unbelievable the stuff these guys go through," Wells said. "You think about the other side, and how their families are sitting at home while their dads or brothers or husbands are out protecting this country, and all the cool things we get to do and take for granted. It hits your heart and you want to be part of and do what you can.

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