Salute set for Padres' annual Military Opening Day
The Mission Continues Fellowship Oath to highlight Military Opening Day presented by Northrop Grumman
SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres today announced the complete line-up of events surrounding Military Opening Day presented by Northrop Grumman, this Sunday, April 22, which officially kicks off a full season of Sunday military salutes.
“We at the Padres believe it’s our honor and our responsibility to recognize and support our service members, veterans and their families,” said Padres President and interim CEO Tom Garfinkel. “These men and women make so many sacrifices on a daily basis. Recognizing and honoring them at every home game and on every Sunday is the least we can do for our nation’s treasures.”
A group of 125 veterans from the Mission Continues’ Bravo Class will kick off pregame ceremonies for Military Opening Day by taking their Fellowship Oath on the field. This will mark the first time that the Fellowship Oath has been taken publicly. The Mission Continues is one of the Padres Foundation’s featured charity partners of the 2012 season, chosen for its commitment to helping post-9/11 veterans rebuild a sense of purpose at home through community service.
Following the Fellowship Oath, the “Starting Nine,” nine service members selected by their commands for exemplary performance, will be individually recognized on the field before participating in Military Take the Field.
Sunday’s National Anthem, performed by the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, will be followed by a flyover by two F-18’s from “TOPGUN,” United States Navy Fighter Weapons School out of Fallon, Nev. In addition, a team from 1st Marine Logistics Group will line the infield in a 50-state flag display.
Lt. Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commanding general I Marine Expeditionary Force, is set to throw out the Ceremonial First Pitch, and God Bless America will be presented during the 7th Inning Stretch by United States Coast Guard Petty Officer Mike Dallager.
Also Sunday, the Padres will re-launch the club’s dedicated military website, www.padres.com/military, which has been re-designed to serve as a tool to connect Padres fans to our San Diego military community and non-profit organizations that support it.
Tickets for all remaining regular season home games can be purchased online at padres.com, at the Petco Park box office, by phone at (619) 795-5555 and at the Padres Store in Tijuana.