Armed Forces Honored at Cheney Stadium
Published on May 9, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tacoma Rainiers News Release
Tacoma, WA - Saturday, May 8th saw Cheney Stadium filled with military women and men both in and out of uniform. More than 6400 people attended the Rainiers Salute to Armed Forces Night. Over 200 0 of those were military personnel.
The Rainiers Red, White and Blue program is brand new for the 2010 season. It is a donation program in which companies or individuals can purchase and donate a block of tickets to be given to military families who currently have a spouse or loved one deployed. The program was a success with over 500 tickets given to families.
The evening began with the honoring of our nation's colors by Joint Service Color Guard. A ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Col. Brittain and Sgt. Major Barnes followed by a C-17 flyover. The starting lineup for the Tacoma Rainiers moved down the line to make room for the night's honorees to line up along the base paths for the national anthem.
At the bottom of the 3rd inning an on-field presentation was held to honor Mr. Donald Green, a Pearl Harbor survivor. The Rainiers Armed Forces Members of the Night were honored at the bottom of 4th inning. The specialty game-worn camouflage jerseys were autographed and auctioned off at the end of the evening and raised $1500.
Survivor Outreach Services sent a group of surviving family members of fallen military out to the game. Two members of this group, Krystal Graham and her son Brian, who lost their husband and father, Kevin, bid on and won Greg Halman's jersey. Halman wears #26, a significant number in their lives...the date that Kevin passed away. After hearing the story, Greg Halman came and met the family after the game. Halman listened to their story, thanked the Grahams and sincerely told them to "Take care of themselves." When asked if it was cool to meet a professional baseball player, Brian responded with an emphatic "Uh Huh!"
Salute to Armed Forces Night is held annually at Cheney Stadium.
For more information or to donate to Operation Homefront, visit www.operationhomefront.net. For information about the Rainiers or to purchase tickets, call us at (253) 752-7707 or visit www.tacomarainiers.com.
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 9, 2010
- 'Topes Survive Sounds, 15-12 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Pink Day at the Park - Tacoma Rainiers
- Torra, Aces Shut Down Beavers, 8-1 - Portland Beavers
- Torra Masterful in 8-1 Aces Victory over Beavers - Reno Aces
- Rainiers Shut Out by Las Vegas, 4-0 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Sounds Lose Wild Game to 'Topes, 15-12 - Nashville Sounds
- Bogusevic Powers Express Past Memphis 6-3 - Round Rock Express
- Zephyrs Down Royals 4-1 - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Iowa Defeats Oklahoma City 6 to 1 - Iowa Cubs
- 51s Host the Iowa Cubs & Omaha Royals in 8-Game Homestand from May 11-18 - Las Vegas Aviators
- OKC RedHawks Game Notes May 9, 2010 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Armed Forces Honored at Cheney Stadium - Tacoma Rainiers
- Rainiers Rip Las Vegas 8-0 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Isotopes Sock Sounds 14-2 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Portland Slides Past Reno, 5-2 - Reno Aces
- Carrillo pitches into seventh inning to earn second win - Portland Beavers
- Albuquerque Wins 14-2 Over Nashville - Nashville Sounds
- Murphy Feels at Home at Rosenblatt - Omaha Storm Chasers
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