Cubs' winner for Tribute for Heroes announced

CHICAGO -- Richard Bennett of DeKalb, Ill., was named the Cubs representative as one of 30 winners of the "Tribute for Heroes" campaign, sponsored by Major League Baseball and PEOPLE magazine. The campaign was a national initiative that recognizes veterans and military service members and builds upon both organizations' commitment to honoring the nation's heroes.

Bennett will be at Wrigley Field on Friday to be honored in pregame ceremonies.

Bennett and the other winners, who each represent one of the 30 MLB clubs, will be included in All-Star Week festivities in New York. They also will be treated to a private tour of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, a VIP reception on the Intrepid, take part in the All-Star Red Carpet Show Presented by Chevrolet, and the Chevrolet Home Run Derby. They will be honored during the pregame ceremony leading up to the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field, Tuesday, which will be on FOX beginning at 6:30 pm CT.

Fans nationwide cast their votes at TributeForHeroes.com to select 30 winners from a pool of 90 finalists.

Bennett served in the Army's 101st Airborne Division. During a deployment to Afghanistan, his unit came under fire on a daily basis. While on an air assault mission to the Korengal Valley, Bennett ran 35 meters through heavy fire and threw himself on the platoon's fallen medic to shield him from further wounds. That soldier is now recovering from his wounds. Bennett received the Silver Star for his heroics.