Mets to host Sixth Annual Military Appreciation Night this Sunday, May 26 at Citi Field

The New York Mets in conjunction with the USO of Metropolitan New York today announced they will host their sixth annual Military Appreciation Night this Sunday, May 26 at Citi Field when the Mets host the Atlanta Braves at 8:05 p.m. With the cancelation of Fleet Week, the Mets pre-game celebration will be one of the biggest gatherings of military personnel over Memorial Day weekend in New York. 

As for all Mets games at Citi Field, military personnel with active military identification will be issued a complimentary ticket day-of-game only in the Ticket Office lobby in the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, subject to availability. Tickets are also on sale at Mets.com and (718) 507-TIXX.

The Mets have donated more than 2,900 tickets to the USO for military personnel and their families to enjoy the special ceremonies honoring our troops and to watch the game.

The USO Show Troupe, formerly known as the Liberty Bells, will entertain the crowd before the game as well as sing God Bless America during the seventh inning stretch. Children of active soldiers along with Mets players will lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Rear Admiral John Weigold, from Greenwich, Connecticut, will lead a joint re-enlistment and enlistment ceremony for more than 20 current and future members of the armed forces. Finally, a representative of each branch of the military - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard - will simultaneously throw out the ceremonial first pitch. 

Veterans will have access to a variety of information and services on health care, higher education, financial assistance and potential employment opportunities before the game on Mets Plaza outside the Jackie Robinson Rotunda and during the game at the Bullpen Plaza. The following organizations will have representatives present to engage with veterans: The Mayor's Office of Veterans' Affairs, Weill Cornell Medical College, Program for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Studies, Veterans Administration New York Harbor Healthcare System, The Robin Hood Foundation, Single Stop USA, Workforce1, Food Bank for New York City, Dowling College and Saint Joseph's College.

"We are proud to salute our nation's military not only on Memorial Day weekend, but throughout the season," said Mets COO Jeff Wilpon. "It's important to honor and recognize the sacrifices our uniformed service men and women have made for our country and to support our veterans and their families in any way we can."

"We again look forward to another great military appreciation event with the New York Mets. They always have the back of all our active duty service members, veterans and their families," said Brian Whiting, USO of Metropolitan New York, CEO. 

Mets Chairman & CEO Fred Wilpon and private citizens created Welcome Back Veterans, a national public awareness fundraising initiative that addresses the mental health needs of America's returning war veterans and their families. The Mets also highlight a "Veteran of the Game" at each home game at Citi Field.

In addition to ESPN, the Mets-Braves game will be shown on American Forces Network, which is broadcast in 175 countries and all the ships at sea.