As a son of a Navy fighter pilot, Lowe proud to support military

ARLINGTON -- Having grown up in a military family, Nathaniel Lowe cherishes the opportunity to give back to other families in similar situations.

For the second consecutive season, the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation and American Airlines welcomed San Diego-based military members to Dallas-Fort Worth, and Lowe’s personal donations directly support the program, which will host more than 70 Marines, Sailors and their guests for a two-day trip to the Metroplex that includes Wednesday night’s Angels-Rangers game and an exclusive tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

“Any time we get a chance to give back, that's what we play for,” Lowe said. “It’s a chance to make an impact on somebody who's given an impact for us that we really don't pay attention to. But the fact that people like this lay their lives down for our freedoms, we can't look past that. It’s just a chance to give them a couple of days to come out and enjoy it and take in America's pastime. It’s great. That's what it's all about.”

For Lowe, it’s even more personal after growing up with a dad in the military. David Lowe was drafted by the Mariners in the fifth round of the 1986 MLB Draft, but instead attended the U.S. Naval Academy and became a naval aviator and fighter pilot for the U.S. Navy.

“The military was my life growing up so, I'll keep going to the same thing, the chance that we have to get back and just bring a smile to anybody else in and out of the service is huge, and we're grateful for this chance,” Lowe said. “It's not just the servicemen and women that are actively serving this country. The whole family is involved.

“My mom raising the two of us while he was overseas was huge. Then, all the support that we get from other family members and friends and other servicemen and women who are in with my dad was huge and a big part of my childhood.”

Though the Rangers are going through a tough three-game losing skid -- and Lowe is in a mini slump (batting .179 over his past seven games) -- this is an opportunity for him to recognize what matters beyond the field.

“It's a good reminder that there's a lot more to life than just baseball,” Lowe said. “With it being a game of failure, we have to deal with failure on field and off field, but when we get a chance to give back like this, it makes it all worth it.”

Manager Bruce Bochy, whose father was also in the military, was proud to be part of this initiative the Rangers have started.

“It really means a lot to me,” Bochy said. “I spent a lot of time with the military back when I was in San Diego, starting back in 1995. Of course growing up on a base, this is something close to me, so you know for us to play out with the military here and for them to be a part of us, it means a lot. I know Nate is involved with this, so I told him today, ‘Great job.’”