Twins announce plans for 9-11 Remembrance and Armed Forces Appreciation Day presented by Thomson Reuters

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Twins today announced plans for a special day this Sunday at Target Field, as the club plays tribute to lives tragically lost, while honoring the men and women of Twins Territory who have, and continue to, bravely serve our communities and country. Before and during that afternoon’s Twins vs. Cleveland Guardians game, both clubs will join Major League Baseball in remembrance of September 11, 2001; additionally, the Twins, in partnership with the Minnesota National Guard, will also honor veterans and active service members from all five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces during the 19th annual Armed Forces Appreciation Day presented by Thomson Reuters.

First pitch for Sunday’s Twins vs. Guardians game is set for 1:10 p.m. CT; tickets are available at twinsbaseball.com, by calling 612-33-TWINS or 800-33-TWINS, or in-person at the Target Field Ticket Office.

9/11 Remembrance and 19th annual Armed Forces Appreciation Day presented by Thomson Reuters – Sunday, September 11 vs. Cleveland Guardians (1:10 p.m. first pitch)

Throughout Sunday’s game, the Twins and Guardians will join Major League Baseball and all 30 Clubs to remember and pay tribute to those we lost on September 11, 2001. The Twins will also honor veterans and active servicemembers from all five branches of the military on the 19th annual Armed Forces Appreciation Day presented by Thomson Reuters, while giving special thanks to the employers of military families – the civilian organizations and companies that play a critical role in the defense of our nation by providing exceptional support before, during and after deployment for the large number of citizen service members active today in the Minnesota National Guard and Reserves.

In support of Armed Forces Appreciation Day, Thomson Reuters – one of these flagship employers as a proud Yellow Ribbon Company – has generously donated 1,000 tickets to Sunday’s game for active and retired members of the U.S. military, which have been distributed by the Military Family Assistance Centers throughout the state.

Through the “Seats for Soldiers” program, many Thomson Reuters Champions Club and Delta SKY360° Club season ticket holders, along with suite holders, have generously donated their tickets to wounded warriors and current service members and their families. Additionally, more than 30 Families of the Fallen, whose loved ones have served and died while on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States of America or its allies, will be hosted in donated suites and seats.

Starting at approximately 12:15 p.m., special pre- and in-game elements are scheduled to include:

• Military vehicles on display at Target Plaza outside Gate 29.
• Pregame and in-game performances by the 34th Infantry Division’s Red Devil Rock Band from the third-floor balcony.
• The traditional Sunday “Race Around the Bases” will feature 12-year-old Acie Matthews III and nine-year old Liliana Matthews, the son and daughter of Master Sergeant First Class Shane Matthews, who is currently on deployment in Iraq with the 347th Regional Support Group.
• In honor of Thomson Reuters’ exceptional leadership as a Yellow Ribbon Company, an initial ceremonial pitch will be thrown by Drew Carpenter, a military veteran and Thomson Reuters account executive. Drew served 13 years in the U.S. Army before transferring to the Minnesota National Guard, where he achieved the rank of staff sergeant. A veteran of deployments in 2005 to Iraq and 2018 to Kuwait, he is currently recovering from Guillain-Barre Syndrome while launching his own business, “Savage Wealth Academy,” to educate and coach individuals and families in finance and accountability.
• Minnesotans’ Military Appreciation Fund (MMAF) Grants, presented by MMAF Board Member and Vietnam veteran, Brigadier General (Retired) Denny Schulstad, will be awarded to the following:
  • Army Sgt. Eric Trudeau of North Branch, Minn., who served with the HHC 334th Brigade Engineer Battalion of the Minnesota National Guard. Sergeant Trudeau was injured in combat while serving in Afghanistan in 2014 and was awarded a Purple Heart.
  • U.S. Air Force Capt. Conner Simms of Minneapolis, who serves with the 934th Airlift Wing and deployed to Kuwait in August 2020.
  • Army Sgt. Dakota Sullivan of Randall, Minn., who serves with Bravo Company One of the 1-194 Combined Arms Battalion of the Minnesota National Guard. Sergeant Sullivan returned earlier this year from a deployment to Kuwait, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
  • Army Spc. Keenan Prigelmeier of Dilworth, Minn., who serves with Charlie Company of 1-194 Armored Regiment of the Minnesota National Guard and deployed to Afghanistan in the summer of 2021.
• The Minnesota Twins have been a proud supporter of the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans. Witness an on-field presentation from Lennar Minnesota’s James Callison and Scott Rothrum, as they hand over the key to the seventh of Lennar’s brand-new homes to MAC-V’s Nate Martineau and Sara Reigle.
• The placing of six wreaths, each representing a different group and commemorating lives lost during the tragic attacks on September 11, 2001, behind the pitcher’s mound, where they will remain throughout pregame ceremonies; they will then be moved to the flag poles near Gate 34 for the game. A wreath honoring Law Enforcement will be placed by representatives of the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association Honor Guard; one remembering Firefighters will be placed by Rick Abel of the Cottage Grove Fire Department, who traveled to New York City to assist in the aftermath of the attacks on the World Trade Center; one paying tribute to Emergency Medical Services will be placed by Rebecca Kopka, a paramedic for Hennepin County; and one recognizing the United States Armed Forces will be placed by Air Force (retired) Maj. Gen. Frank Stokes. Two additional wreaths will be placed in honor of all international citizens who died during the 9/11 attacks and our allied military service members who fought and died alongside U.S. forces; and in honor of all American citizens who died on and since 9/11.
• As per Armed Forces Appreciation Day tradition, the Twins will remember and pay tribute to Twins Territory servicemembers whom we have lost during the past year. We remember U.S. Army 1st Lt. Brian Yang from St. Paul, Minn.; Minnesota National Guard Pvt 1st Class Eddie Demmings from St. Paul, Minn.; U.S. Army Spc. Theodore Friedman from Becker, Minn.; U.S. Army Sgt. Andrew Chaisson from Blaine, Minn.; U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Prince Yeboh from Coon Rapids, Minn.; Minnesota National Guard Spc. Asha Omar from Minneapolis, Minn.; Minnesota National Guard Sgt. Travis Larsen from Renville, Minn.; North Dakota National Guard Spc. Tyler Larson from Fargo, N. Dak.; North Dakota National Guard Sr. Master Sgt. Brandon Sola from Velva, N. Dak.; North Dakota National Guard Staff Sgt. Peter Griffin from Fargo, N. Dak.; U.S. Marine Cpl. Wyatt Hatcher from Valley City, N. Dak.; South Dakota National Guard Spc. Hunter Jordan from Pierre, S. Dak.; South Dakota National Guard 1st Sgt. Lester Jahnig from Britton, S. Dak.; and U.S. Army Maj. Spencer Johnson formerly from Brookings, S. Dak.
• Representatives from four Minnesota National Guard units returned home from deployment this year. They will be recognized on the field and represent the more than 1,500 citizen Soldiers and Airmen from Bravo Company of the 1-171 General Support Aviation Battalion, 1-194 Armor Regiment, the 434th Chemical Company and the Duluth-based 148th Fighter Wing. While deployed, these brave men and women supported and assisted operations Allies Welcome, Allies Refuge, Freedom’s Sentinel, Inherent Resolve and Spartan Shield.
• A second ceremonial pitch will be thrown by Army Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke of the Minnesota National Guard’s 32nd Adjutant General. Manke began his career as a second lieutenant in 1991, has served in Germany, Kosovo and Iraq, and currently leads nearly 13,000 citizen soldiers and airmen of the Minnesota National Guard. His children, Kalie and Lucas, have followed in his footsteps and serve as first lieutenants in the U.S. Army.
• In recognition of the 100-year anniversary of the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army – which helps bridge the gap between the Army and civilian community by sharing information about the Army’s objectives and programs with the public – the Twins will recognize three citizens who have been instrumental in this critical initiative: Air Force Maj. Gen. (retired) (brevet) Harry Sieben, who served as a Civilian Aide from 2007-19; former Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, who currently serves; and Army Col. (retired) Eric Ahlness, who also currently serves.
• To honor and salute the employers of military families, whose continued support makes a huge difference to the men and women who have, and continue to, risk their lives to defend our safety and the cause of freedom throughout the world, the Twins will recognize the following employers of soldiers from the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division and airmen from the 133rd Airlift Wing: Bolger, Cabin 61, City of Woodbury, Domino’s in Albert Lea, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, J-Berd, Luther Mankato Honda, Medtronic, Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, Pine Ridge Electric, Red Wing Public Schools, Rice County Environmental Services, Saint Paul Fire Department, Schwing Bioset, Skaalveen Distillery, Target, and U.S. Bank.
• In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), which assists in fostering a culture in which employers support and value the employment of and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve, the Twins and Maj. Gen. Manke will present a certificate of gratitude to ESGR representative Army Col. (retired) Chad Sackett. Additionally, the three recipients of ESGR’s Pro Patria Award and nominees for the national Freedom Award – Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota, League of Minnesota Cities and Think Mutual Bank will be celebrated for going above and beyond in their support of service members.
• A special starting lineup will be introduced on the field, consisting of Minnesota National Guard service members and Reservists of the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Air Force; spouses and children of service members; and employers of military families.
• The Twins Territory flag will be raised by six-year-old Sloane, daughter of Major Isaac Allen, and fifteen-year-old William, son of Lieutenant Kodjo Djondo. Both servicemembers are currently on deployment in the Middle East with the Minnesota National Guard’s 347th Regional Support Group.
• The American flag will be raised by 80-year-old Navy veteran Kenneth Jary, who served during the Cuban Missile Crisis aboard the USS Okinawa as a helicopter refueler. Today, he is known as “Patriotic Kenny” on TikTok, where his 2.3 million followers have helped Kenneth and his friend, Amanda Kline, gift mobility scooters to more than 75 fellow veterans.
• The National Anthem will be performed by an eight-person chorus featuring citizen Soldiers and Airmen from the Minnesota National Guard.
• A pregame flyover will feature two F-16 fighter jets from the Minnesota National Guard’s Duluth-based 148th Fighter Wing.
• God Bless America will be performed by Joe Edlund, a senior project manager at Thomson Reuters. Twelve-year-old Jasmine Grinberg and 10-year-old Lyla Noelle Murray, both children of Thomson Reuters employees, will then lead the crowd in Take Me Out to the Ballgame.