ATLANTA -- Before players and coaches lined up along the Turner Field basepaths for Monday's series opener between the Giants and the Braves, the fans were already on their feet, saluting people wearing a different kind of uniform.
Active-duty military members took the field first and were welcomed to a standing ovation. Both teams then walked out of their respective dugouts and showed their appreciation by shaking hands and standing alongside them for the playing of the national anthem.
The moment was one of the highlights from the pregame ceremony the Braves held Monday to recognize Memorial Day and honor the people who have served in the United States armed forces.
• Braves Memorial Day gear
Representatives of the USO also held a giant American flag in the outfield, where members of each military branch held five large stars representing each branch. A special honoree from each branch was also recognized.
Before the national anthem, an honor guard presented a 21-gun salute while echo taps was performed and a video listing all of the names of Georgia natives who died serving the country was shown on the scoreboard.
As the national anthem came to a conclusion, two T-38 jets that are part of the 49th Fighter Training Squadron and part of the 14th Flying Training Wing based out of the Columbus Air Force Base performed a flyover to round out the ceremony.