Alderson, Mets honor vets on Military Monday

NEW YORK -- Mr. Met wore camouflage Monday, as members of the Mets, including general manager Sandy Alderson, visited the VA Hospital in Manhattan to honor veterans for the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War.

"Your work, commitment and devotion to your comrades and this country are now being recognized," Alderson told a roomful of veterans. "I'm here today as one of you to thank you for what you did."

Alderson, a former platoon lieutenant, served in Vietnam and is the son of a B-57 pilot who served in three wars.

Alderson and Mets play-by-play announcer Josh Lewin participated in a question-and-answer session after the screening of a video that thanked the veterans for their service.

Vietnam veterans in attendance received a commemoration pin and, New York Mets commemorative 1962 T-shirts were available to all veterans.

The event was the first of the organization's Military Mondays for the 2015 season. The Mets wore camouflage jerseys against the Cardinals on Monday night in collaboration with the event.

Alderson answered a wide array of questions, with topics ranging from Mets history to the implementation of instant replay and the designated hitter to New York's current shortstop situation.

Afterward, he expressed gratitude to the VA Hospital for hosting the Mets and interest in similarly honoring veterans again in the future.

"I've been here to the hospital before and it's always an emotional couple of hours," Alderson said. "We're all in it together, so I feel like one of them. It's nice to come back and be able to acknowledge their contributions and their service."