San Diego, Calif. -- Service members from the San Diego area participated in the opening ceremony of the Major League Baseball Padres game at Petco Park, April 13.
The ceremony was part of the Padres Military Appreciation Sundays event, where every Sunday home game Padres players wear camouflage jerseys, which look similar to the Marine Corps’ desert camouflage utilities, as well as honor San Diego’s service members, veterans and their families, to include a game for each branch of the armed forces and special salutes for military kids, military spouses and military families, according to the Padres website.
“For the opening ceremony, San Diego stationed service members lined the boundaries of the playing field, invited the military band to play, had a home plate ceremony and a flyover,” said Michael Berentson, director, Military Affairs, San Diego Padres. “This game, for the home plate ceremony, we had Gary Sinise and his Gary Sinise Foundation donate three smart homes to wounded warriors and also had retired Marine Corps Sgt. Rob Jones ride in on his bike as he rode over 5,000 miles from Maine to Camp Pendleton in an effort to raise money for charities that support the recovery of wounded service members.”
Jones, who lost his legs due to an Improvised Explosive Device during his deployment to Afghanistan in 2010, was one example of the many service members the Padres have honored during their games and served as a reminder of the sacrific service members make for the nation.
“It’s important for the community to see who their military is,” said Berentson. “Even though we’ve been at war since 2001, it’s a great way to tell the stories and remind the community we still have service members fighting wars.”
During the ceremony, Marines from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego participated in the event by holding the state flags around the edge of the infield. Each Marine marched out in line from left field before the National Anthem to take their place on the field. When the anthem was sung, each Marine held out and presented the flag as an honor to each state.
“It was all about honoring the military,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Miguel T. Bridges, operations chief, MCRD San Diego. “It was a real wow factor, seeing how San Diego really enjoys the military. It was great that they put us on the field in a big display.”
For many of the service members, the event was an opportunity for them to see the fruits of their hard work through the positive support from the local community.
“We do our job day to day, but coming out here we realize this is what it’s about; we got to see the positive relationship we have with the community,” said Bridges, a Fort Worth, Texas, native. “To be on the field and part of the ceremony to represent the Marine Corps was an honor.”
After the ceremony concluded, service members were able to stay and enjoy the game. They took their places in the stands to become part of what the Padres feel honored to have a great and dedicated San Diego community.
“We feel it’s our duty to highlight and showcase the military community, which has made San Diego what it is today,” said Berentson. “It’s a very important component and want to show the community who they are.”