Yankee outfielder Nick Swisher is finally taking his new wife, Joanna Garcia, on a honeymoon — to Afghanistan.
Nick and actress Joanna, a star of ABC’s “Better Without You,” plan to visit US troops in November, their first trip since they married last December.
Speaking to us at the Yankees Unite for Tornado Relief event at Southern Hospitality Hell’s Kitchen, Swisher said, “Three military officers came to the Yankee locker room and asked if any of us would like to visit the troops. My hand went straight up, I said, ‘I’m in.’ I knew Joanna would want to go. It will be our first trip since we got married.
PHOTOS: NICK SWISHER AND JOANNA GARCIA
“I come from a military family … and no matter what your views are, these men and women are out there risking everything for us. I realize how fortunate I have been, so I like to give back at every opportunity I can. I don’t want to look back on my life when I am old, with my grandchildren around me, and think, ‘Man, I wish I’d done that. I’ve got one shot at this [life].’ ”
Nick and Joanna wed in Palm Beach in front of 350 family and friends including Cameron Diaz, Alex Rodriguez and other Yankees teammates. But they had to postpone the honeymoon due to work commitments.
Excited Garcia also told us, “We are both really looking forward to visiting the troops. Yes, it isn’t a traditional honeymoon, but it is something we both feel strongly about.” But she added, “We’ll probably make a stop in Europe on our way back.”
Monday’s event, hosted by the Swishers, pitcher Dave Robertson and wife Erin to benefit Robertson’s tornado-torn hometown of Tuscaloosa, Ala., also drew fellow Yankees CC Sabathia, A-Rod, Russell Martin and MVP candidate Curtis Granderson, who was seen asking Darryl Strawberry for his autograph. The Skybridge Capital-sponsored bash raised over $150,000 for Alabama tornado victims.