The Phillies and Toyota, along with Major League Baseball, are commemorating the 20th anniversary of September 11th with a special on-field tribute before this Saturday’s 6:05 p.m. game against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park. All fans are invited to be in their seats at 5:35 p.m. for the “Phillies Salute to Service presented by Toyota,” which will honor those whose lives were affected or lost on that tragic day and pay homage to the brave men and women who rose in service to help others.
“It’s been two decades since that fateful day on September 11th when our lives changed forever,” said Phillies Vice President of Partnership Sales & Corporate Marketing Jackie Cuddeback. “We will never forget the thousands of lives lost or tremendous acts of heroism by our service members. This will no doubt be a very special tribute, and we are humbled to join Toyota as we recognize the incredible courage, strength and resilience of our first responders.”
The event will also celebrate the warriors and volunteers of Wounded Warrior Project®, which provides free services to veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound while serving in the military on or after September 11, 2001. To highlight the cause, representatives from Wounded Warrior Project will throw the ceremonial first pitch and make a base change in the third inning, on behalf of Toyota. Members of Wounded Warrior Project will also watch the game from Toyota’s suite.
“The Tri-State Toyota Dealers are honored to present the Phillies 9/11 Salute to Service Game. It is critical to remember the anniversary of 9/11 and recognize organizations like Wounded Warrior Project for all the outstanding work they do,” said Paul Muller, President of the local Tri-State Toyota Dealers Association. “To be able to do that alongside the Phillies is always a privilege – and we are pleased we can help honor our veterans, active military members and first responders,” Muller added.
In addition to the Tri-State Toyota Dealers’ donation to Wounded Warrior Project, Toyota has been working actively with Hiring Our Heroes since 2011. Toyota has partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes on the Personal Branding Initiative to address the issue of unemployment among veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses by helping more than 100,000 job seekers translate their military skills, volunteer experiences and expertise into meaningful employment.
More Highlights to the “Phillies Salute to Service Presented by Toyota”
The commemoration of the 20th anniversary of 9/11 will include the introductions of service men and women, who will have the honor of taking the field. Also being introduced will be Wall of Famer Larry Bowa, who was the Phillies manager at the first game at Veterans Stadium following the September 11th tragedies (which was on September 17, 2001).
In addition, a moment of silence will be observed in honor of those who lost their lives. The Air National Guard Band of the Northeast will perform the national anthem as an All-Service Honor Guard presents the colors in center field.
PhanaVision will also replay historical moments from the first Phillies game after September 11.
Other event highlights include a first pitch by Subarna Malakar, a U.S. Army veteran and board member of the National Association of Asian American Professionals Philadelphia Chapter, who will make the throw in honor of the Travis Manion Foundation. There will also be a base change in the sixth inning by Sergeant Paul Bryant, Jr. of the Chester County Sheriff’s Canine Unit, who was a first responder on September 11, 2001.
In the seventh inning, Cpl. John Stanz, a former U.S. Marine band member and Washington Township, N.J. native, will perform “God Bless America.” Stanz performed the national anthem at the reopening ceremony of the New York Stock Exchange on September 17, 2001.
Tickets to Saturday’s game are available at Phillies.com, which includes a Theme Night Ticket offer featuring a coupon for an exclusive Phillies Salute to Service jersey.