The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Bridgewater, NJ – The Somerset Patriots, along with the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 452, will honor veterans and current military members before the Patriots game on Sunday, August 19th, with gates opening at 4:00 pm at TD Bank Ballpark. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for the special ceremony expected to begin at 4:15 pm.
This year’s event will feature Lieutenant General Richard C. Zilmer as the keynote speaker.
Lieutenant General Zilmer served as a Marine in many different roles over a 37-year military career. Lieutenant General Zilmer served in battles during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991 and in Operation Iraq Freedom in 2006 and 2007. Lieutenant General Zilmer led the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in Al Anbar and commanded all U.S. and Iraqi forces in the province.
United States Armed Forces veterans, active Marines and soldiers will be honored at the ballpark. All veterans in attendance will be recognized for their courage and service to the United States.
The ceremony will feature a special Honor Guard from Vietnam Veterans of America- Chapter 233 Metuchen and The Rifle Squad from the Marine Corps League Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Detachment #190- Milltown, and Echo Taps. There will also be a reenactment of the flag raising on Iwo Jima by six Marines from the Marine Corps- Colts Neck.
There will be a military fly-over with World War II planes by pilots Kevin Russo, Buzz Cortez, Ed Nagle, Gavin Nagle, and John Mazur. Military vehicles will be stationed around the ballpark for fans to view before the game.
Veterans from groups such as the Marine Corps League, Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled America Veterans, Coast Guard League, Navy League, National Guard, Seabee Organization, Navy Seals, and the Green Berets will be honored before the game.
All veterans will receive complimentary admission to the game, while all family, friends, and other guests of veterans will receive $5.00 upper box tickets.
This year, the event will include participation by the Armed Forces Heritage Museum (AFHM) and their traveling, education and multi-media trailer that will feature some of the current ongoing projects as part of the mission of the AFHM.
Following the game, there will be a paratrooper helicopter drop fundraiser to benefit the Basilone Memorial Foundation. For more information of how to participate in the fundraiser, visit www.basilonefoundation.org
For more information on how to participate in the Somerset Patriots Veterans of America Day, or to purchase tickets for the event, please call the Somerset Patriots Ticket Office at (908) 252-0700 or visit somersetpatriots.com.
The 2018 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford is underway and features the team’s 20th Season at TD Bank Ballpark. The team has clinched a playoff spot already by winning the 2018 Liberty Division First Half Championship. For tickets, visit www.somersetpatriots.com.
About The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 38 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment.
For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.
