Braves' winner for Tribute for Heroes announced

ATLANTA -- The perseverance Brian Hicks has continued to show since losing his leg in Iraq has earned him a chance to represent Braves fans at this year's All-Star Game.

Major League Baseball and People Magazine announced on Wednesday that Hicks was the Braves' winner of the "Tribute for Heroes" campaign, a national initiative that recognizes veterans and military service members and builds upon both organizations' commitment to honoring our country's heroes.

All of the winners, each representing one of the 30 MLB Clubs, will be included in All-Star Week festivities and will attend and be honored during the pre-game ceremony leading up to the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field, July 16th on FOX beginning at 7:30 pm ET. The 30 winners can be seen at TributeForHeroes.com.

During a 2003 deployment in Iraq, Hicks suffered an injury that led to his left leg being amputated. He has since completed 35 triathlons and eight marathons. In 2012, he was awarded the USA Triathlon Comeback of the Year Award. Along with serving as a resident engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers at Maxwell Air Force Base, he mentors other disabled veterans through the Wounded Warrior Project and CAST (Christian Amputee Support Team).