Brewers recognize Honor Flight Veterans on Military Appreciation Day, May 22, at American Family Field

Players on Active Roster Will Gift Veterans a Personalized, Autographed Jersey

May 19th, 2022

MILWAUKEE – On Sunday, May 22, in honor of Military Appreciation Day, the Milwaukee Brewers will welcome 26 veterans on their “Tour of Honor” with the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight at American Family Field when the Crew fittingly takes on the Washington Nationals at 1:10 p.m.
 
Before the game, the veterans will be recognized on the field for their service to the nation. As a special thank you, Brewers players will gift each veteran with a personalized and autographed Brewers jerseys marked with the veteran’s name and a player’s uniform number.
 
“We are forever in debt to the brave men and women who sacrificed so much to defend our country through their service,” said Brewers President – Business Operations Rick Schlesinger. “On Military Appreciation Day, and every day, we appreciate our veterans’ efforts and are honored to host them at American Family Field for this special ceremony.”
 
The mission of the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight is to honor all veterans by flying World War II, Korean and Vietnam War veterans, as well as terminally ill veterans from other conflicts, to Washington D.C., to see the memorials built in their honor. Based in Milwaukee, Stars and Stripes Honor Flight started in 2005 and has since grown to 140 Honor Flight Networks across the country and escorted nearly 250,000 veterans at no cost.
 
The 484th Army Band will perform the National Anthem and the honor guard will include a representative from all six military branches. Two veterans will throw the ceremonial first pitch. They include Linda McClenahan, affectionally known as “Sister Sarge,” McClenahan served in Vietnam and then came home and entered the convent - she now spends her time giving spiritual guidance and counseling to veterans with PTSD; and Major General Johnny K. Davis_,_ Commanding General of the U.S. Army Cadet Command at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and a Milwaukee native.
 
The complete list of veterans attending Friday’s game include:

  • Jay Hesslink, Vietnam War Army
  • Dick Dooley, Vietnam War Army
  • Howard Honor, Vietnam War Marines
  • Glen Perry, Vietnam War Army
  • George Koerner, Vietnam War Air Force
  • Franklyn Esenberg, Korean War Army
  • Thomas Andersen, Vietnam War Army
  • Lawrence Lapetina, Vietnam War Air Force
  • Jose Flores, Vietnam War Army
  • Juan Flores, Vietnam War Army
  • Linda McClenahan, Vietnam War Army
  • David Daniels, Vietnam War Army
  • Ronald Streich, Vietnam War Army
  • James Kleinschmidt, Vietnam War Navy
  • Lauri Raube, Vietnam War Army
  • Richard Daniels, Vietnam War Air Force
  • Marvin Garner, Vietnam War Army
  • Ralph Aiken, Vietnam War Army
  • Curtis Niemann, Vietnam War Army
  • Edward Waldron, Vietnam War Army
  • Michael Torres, Vietnam War Army
  • Joseph Fiul, Vietnam War Army
  • James Palzewicz, Korean War Navy
  • Bob Boulden, Korean War Marines
  • Dale Melms, Korean War Army
  • Wallace Reuteler, WWII Army 

To further celebrate Military Appreciation Day, fans will see Army and Coast Guard vehicles on display outside of American Family Field and can take in the War Memorial Center traveling exhibit, I Am Not Invisible, showcasing the female military experience. Anna Mae Robertson, one of the women featured in the exhibit, will be in attendance for the game and recognized as the Jim Beam Hero of the Day. She served in the only all-black, all-female battalion that deployed overseas during World War II. Thanks to the Brewers Community Foundation, five members from different branches of the military will compete in the Military Appreciation Day Challenge with the winning branch receiving a $10,000 donation to the USO in their name.
 
All season long, Sunday home games at American Family Field include an offer of two complimentary Terrace Level tickets to active-duty military and veterans who show their ID at the box office on the day of the game (subject to availability). An alternate offer is the purchase of half-price tickets in other select locations (also subject to availability). Tickets are available for the Nationals series at brewers.com, at 800-933-7890 or at the American Family Field Box Office.