Finalists for 'Tribute for Heroes' announced

CHICAGO -- Three Canadians have been named as finalists in the Major League Baseball and People magazine Tribute for Heroes campaign.

The Tribute for Heroes is a national initiative that recognizes veterans and military service members and builds on a commitment to honor heroes in both Canada and the United States.

One winner from each of the 30 MLB clubs will be included in the All-Star Game festivities and recognized during the pregame ceremony on July 16th at Citi Field. The game will be televised in Canada on Sportsnet.

The three candidates for the Blue Jays are Paul Franco (Toronto), Nicholas Kerr (Victoria, British Columbia) and James Storey (Calgary, Alberta).

Franco has served as a member of the Canadian Forces for 12 years. He served in Afghanistan with 1 RCR in Task Force 3-06 and was involved in Operation Medusa, one of the largest battles Canada has engaged in since the Korean War. He received a Commanders Unit Commendation for OPs Medusa and the Top Soldier's commendation with the Toronto Scottish Regiment.

Kerr is a Medal of Bravery nominee for saving a civilian's life after a car accident. As a member of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, he won several Canadian Forces National Sports awards. After Afghanistan, the artillery chose the decorated infantryman -- a first -- to join Avalanche Control Operation Palaci (AVCON).

Storey served in the Canadian Armed Forces for almost 25 years, and he's helping his fellow veterans by raising awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He enlisted in 1988, and by 2008 was promoted to Saergeant, receiving Non-Article 5 Peacekeeping medals for tours in the former Yugoslavia and Bosnia, and the Canadian Forces Decoration with clasp.

Fans are encouraged to visit TributeForHeroes.com to vote for their favorite stories through June 30.