George Alfred Gross - Drafted into the Military Instead of Major League Baseball

May 4, 2017
Written by
Kent Ansorge

george-gross-korean-warGeorge Alfred Gross grew up in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s in Grand Rapids, Michigan and loved to play baseball.  He was a third baseman and outfielder and played ball for four years in high school and one year at Huntington College. His dream was to be drafted in the big leagues! Instead he was drafted into the Army in 1952 at the time of the Korean War.

George served over a year in Japan and later in Korea. He was trained as a cook, but also found himself serving as an MP. He returned home from the war in 1954 and later met his future wife, Mary on a blind date to a movie.  They have been together and married for 61 years with a daughter and a son.

george-gross-slo-pitch-softball-clubGeorge had a successful business career and later moved to Sacramento, CA where they currently reside. His baseball prowess followed him and he was drafted to play in a “Golden Seniors” softball league.  When he turned 80, he was kept in the age 70's league as he was one of their best hitters. George finally got to show off his baseball skills late in life.

mrs-mary-and-george-grossWhen health concerns arose, his daughter researched assistance programs and found the VetAssist Program from Veterans Home Care.  It was the perfect program for George, with Mary his wife serving as his contact person for Veterans Home Care.

His VetAssist Program specialist, Val Carter, connected George with Access Home Care Aide Trianna Scott. Trianna cares for him six days a week including help with showering and shaving. Now George has a “travel chair” to get outside.  He credits his home care team with help that keeps him going and enjoying life as best he can.

We are proud to salute our nation’s veterans and share their stories. At Veterans Home Care , we’ve helped thousands of veterans and surviving spouses get the care they need. Our exclusive VetAssist Program assists wartime veterans and their families in applying for a little-known benefit from the Department of Veterans Affairs, (VA) to pay for assistance with activities of daily living. This includes home care and adult day care. To learn more, call us at 888-314-6075.