The Pittsburgh Pirates tonight, Thursday, June 8, will dedicate their "One Empty Seat" at PNC Park as a reminder of all the sacrifices made by the more than 92,000 American service men and women who are Prisoners of War or Missing in Action since World War I.
The One Empty Seat program is in partnership with Rolling Thunder, a non-profit organization veterans group raising awareness of American POW and MIA service members.
The seat is located on the PNC Park Main Concourse and is accompanied by a bronze plaque mounted next to the seat. The plaque states: "You are not forgotten. Since World War I, more than 92,000 American soldiers are unaccounted for. This unoccupied seat is dedicated to the memory of these brave men and women and to the sacrifices each made in serving this country. God Bless You. God Bless America."
Tonight, members of Rolling Thunder, State Senators Wayne Fontana and Randy Vulakovich and U. S. veterans, including Pirates alumni Dick Groat, will join Pirates President Frank Coonelly in the pregame dedication ceremony at 6 p.m.
In addition to the ceremony, tonight's game is a Thursday Military Appreciation Day at PNC Park with the Pirates honoring members of the military by wearing special camo jerseys and Military Appreciation caps. Proceeds from tonight's Pirates Charities 50/50 Raffle, supported by Rivers Casino, will benefit the Veteran's Trust. The Trust provides grants to veteran's service organizations, county directors of veteran's affairs, and statewide charitable organizations that assist veterans in need of shelter and other necessities.