Keni Thomas Sings National Anthem at World Series

MYFOXNY.COM - Singer and former Army Ranger Keni Thomas sang the "Star-Spangled Banner" before Game one of the World Series between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies.

The country crooner is no stranger to Yankee Stadium. It was his second time singing the National Anthem at the new Yankee Stadium, and fifth overall performance for the Yankees.

"I get to sing the anthem at a lot of different events, and this is by far the greatest crowd," said Thomas, according to MLB.com. "I don't know what it is about the north, but New Yorkers [baseball] really is their pastime."

Thomas trotted onto the field wearing a shiny new official World Series Yankees jacket.

Thomas served as a Ranger in Somalia during the infamous battle in which 18 U.S. soldier were killed in one day. The battle was turned into the book and later the movie called "Black Hawk Down." He retired from the Army with the rank of staff sergeant, according to reports.

After Thomas's powerful rendition of the anthem, First Lady Michelle Obama, Jill Biden, and Yankee legend Yogi Berra stood near the mound while Anthony Odierno, a disabled Iraq veteran, tossed out the ceremonial first pitch.

Odierno, a graduate of West Point, is the son of Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the commanding general of the U.S.-led forces in Iraq. The younger Odierno lost his arm while on patrol in Iraq.

Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden visted veterans at a VA hospital in the Bronx and then attended the World Series to support Welcome Back Veterans, an MLB Charities initiative for returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families with mental health treatment and job opportunities.