Military heroes are taking the field for a special Phillies Salute to Service presented by Toyota on Tuesday, May 28, before that night’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park.

“We are honored to join Toyota in saluting our nation’s heroes,” said David Buck, Phillies Executive Vice President. “This will be a very special event as we recognize members of the military, veterans and their families for their sacrifice and service.”

“The Tri-State Toyota Dealers are honored to join the Phillies as we proudly salute the men and women who bravely serve our country,” said Paul Muller, President of the Tri-State Toyota Dealers Association. “Toyota is committed to honoring our Nation’s active and retired military service members through support of the ‘Hiring Our Heroes’ Program, helping Veterans and their families assimilate back into civilian life.”

Fans should be in their seats by 6:30 p.m. for the start of the on-field salute. Among the highlights:

• Opening ceremonies will include an All-Service Color Guard, as well as the introduction of representatives from every conflict since World War II, who will line up on the field and be recognized by all attending that night’s game. Among those taking part will be Gunnery Sergeant Leo Hertzog and Stan Friday (World War II), Louis F. Gentry (Korean War), Sergeant Philip Corley (Vietnam War), Ed Lopez (Gulf War), Devon Richio (Iraq War), Sergeant Daniel Morein (Afghanistan) and retired Brigadier General Carol Eggert (representing women veterans). Escorting the veterans will be Cherokee High School cadets.

• Fifty Phillies gameday and full-time employees who served in the United States military will have the distinct honor of carrying the state flags onto the field. There will also be an All-Service Color Guard and Corporal Elijah Mauldin will sing the national anthem.

• The entire ballpark will be invited to recite the Pledge of Allegiance led by Brett Adams, an Army veteran and cavalry officer who flew Kiowa helicopters during his seven years in the United States Army, and his son CJ.

• The United States Navy Leapfrogs will parachute onto the field to deliver the ceremonial ball to Army Sergeant First Class Greg Flynn, who will have the honor of making the ceremonial first pitch. Flynn is from the New Jersey National Guard's 1st Battalion of the 114th Infantry Regiment, and also a police officer in Gloucester Township, N.J.

• The salute will continue in game as military members have the honor of changing the bases in the 3rd inning. Among them: Machinist Mate 1C Matthew Waite, Philadelphia Firefighter Mark Stewart and Philadelphia Police Officer Kraig Henry.

• In the bottom of the 7th inning, Corporal Roland Scarinci, a 96-year-old World War II veteran, will play his harmonica during a special performance of “God Bless America.” The Philadelphia native fought in the invasion of Okinawa, where he volunteered for a raft mission, despite the shark-infested waters. A storm descended breaking up the raft. Scarinci and two other soldiers survived for hours clinging to empty 50-gallon drums.

• A Salute to Service presented by Toyota Theme Night Ticket is also available, where military personnel, veterans, and their guests can receive a $4 discount off tickets regularly priced $47 and under. Plus, the first 1,000 fans through this ticket offer will receive an exclusive Phillies Salute to Service presented by Toyota Hat. Go to phillies.com/themenights for ticket details.

About Tri-State Toyota Dealers Association

The Tri-State Toyota Dealers Association (TDA) is comprised of 25 Toyota Dealers in the Greater Philadelphia market dedicated to providing customers in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Northwestern Delaware and Southern New Jersey communities with Toyota vehicle sales and service.

ABOUT TOYOTA

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 38 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more than 47,000 people (more than 37,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold more than 2.8 million cars and trucks (2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2018 – and about 87 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 16 years are still on the road today. Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.