Amy Krueger honored by local softball

PLYMOUTH – Amy Krueger Night was such a memorable and special event for all those in attendance, including her former softball teammates, the Marshall Sign/Landshark Lager women’s squad.

Krueger, who is from Kiel, was killed last November while serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Hood, Texas. She was honored by the Plymouth Softball Association and the Marshall Sign team at the event for serving her country. Miltary honors were conducted by Worlds Cheese Center Post 5612 Veterans of Foreign Wars, Plymouth.

The tribute to her May 25 at the Quit Qui Oc Athletic Complex was held before Marshall Sign played a league game versus AC Signs. Sarah Behnke of Marshall Sign sang the national anthem.

She played in the Plymouth Softball Association for three years and had such a positive impact on her Marshall Sign teammates.

“It [event] was wonderful. The support was tremendous,” said Mary Veldman, the Marshall Sign playermanager and chief organizer of Amy Krueger Night.

“It meant a lot to me to be a part of this. We got a lot of donations from businesses for the raffles. The main reason we held this was to honor Amy.”

Proceeds from the event will go toward a memorial flagpole and plaque in Krueger’s name at the Quit Qui Oc Athletic Complex.

“When someone gives the ultimate sacrifice by giving her life, you want to give tribute to her,” said Lori Hoffmann, a member of the Marshall Sign squad.

“Mary did a great job [putting together the event]. It will be great to have a flagpole and plaque up in her name.”

“I’ll miss her a lot. She brought joy to the team,” Veldman said.

“Amy was always smiling. She was always the life of the party. She enjoyed playing softball a lot and was quite a competitor.”

Veldman thanked everyone who attended the tribute and supported it.

“She was always a positive person,” said Behnke. “She will always be in our hearts. We loved her as much as her family did.

“Even though she isn’t here, she will never be forgotten,” Behnke said. “I got real close to her the last five years,” said Sarah Stubbe who was one of Krueger’s teammates. “She was very memorable. She was loved by all of the team.” Stubbe shared some stories about Krueger during the tribute.

“It meant a lot to me to give that speech,” she said.

The team is wearing camouflaged shirts this season in honor of Krueger. On the players’ sleeves are the words: Amy “Kruegs” Krueger, All Gave Some, Some Gave All, Sacrifice.

“It was an emotional night but we [team members] all pulled through it,” Veldman said. “It was a celebration of being friends and playing with her.”