Phillies and Toyota give Delco veteran a Salute to Service surprise

This week, the Phillies and Toyota embarked on a secret mission to honor and surprise Cpl. David Billingsley, a retired U.S. Army veteran who was dedicated his life to helping his fellow service members, even after he was injured while on duty.

Team Foster, who nominated Cpl. Billingsley for the surprise and support injured and disabled veterans with life-saving service dogs, and Warriors’ Watch Riders, who use their motorcycles to welcome home returning veterans, joined in on the surprise to make it an extra-special day.

Cpl. Billingsley, who just recently moved to Upper Chichester with his wife Kim to be closer to their grandchildren, had no idea that the Phillies and Toyota were literally rolling out the red carpet in front of his house when he got a knock on the door from the Phillies Ballgirls. He opened his door to a surprise crowd of members of the Delaware County community, Chichester High School students and his own military family members. He was greeted by a huge convoy of Chichester police, fire and EMS vehicles, his fellow Warriors’ Watch riders and a Toyota truck with the Phillie Phanatic and 1993 National League champion Milt Thompson in tow.

Cpl. Billingsley was then recognized by Phillies ambassador Scott Palmer, Team Foster Founder and Executive Director Nick Liermann and Tri-State Toyota Dealers Association president Paul Muller, the latter of whom presented the vet with a personalized jersey and invited him to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Salute to Service presented by Toyota Phillies game on Saturday, May 17. The corporal was also gifted a Warriors’ Watch Riders coin by fellow rider Lee Weinstein, and was officially welcomed to the neighborhood by Col. Arthur L. Jenkins Jr., Delaware County’s Military and Veterans Affairs Director.