MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Ford Auto Dealers, Dragons Team up to Honor Local Veterans

Published on July 14, 2016 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


DAYTON, Ohio - Dayton Area Ford Dealers and the Dayton Dragons will host United States Army Veteran and Army Reserve Kathleen Hayes during the Ford Honor Them program on Sunday, July 17 at 2:07 p.m. when the Dayton Dragons take on the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Fifth Third Field. Hayes will be the fourth honoree of the unique program in 2016.

The Ford Honor Them program provides veterans in the Dayton region with a once-in-a-lifetime experience to celebrate their service to their country. Each honoree has their story shared in front of the crowd at Fifth Third Field, followed by a standing ovation in appreciation of the veteran's hard work and dedication both in military and civilian accomplishments.

Kathleen's Story

Growing up in Bluffton, OH, Kathleen Hayes always had a nurturing spirit and a "caretaker's heart" so a career in nursing seemed to be her destiny from an early age.

In 1974, at age 18, she decided to join the ROTC program at Bowling Green State University. At the time, it seemed to be a great opportunity to fund her nursing school. That decision, however, turned out to be a difference maker in her life, sending her on a distinguished military career path.

Kathleen's military nursing career began as a Private Army Medic for the Women's Army Corp. Her active duty career included time in Operation Desert Storm in the early 90's. In that conflict, as a Colonel Nurse, she ran the medical-surgical nursing unit at the 2291st U.S. Army Hospital.

Kathleen was in the Army Reserves during the 9/11 attacks on the U.S. In the conflict that followed, she was stationed in Tikrit, Iraq, where she was appointed Chief Nurse for the 345th Combat Support Hospital at COB Speicher.

Kathleen retired from the military in November 2010 with 35 years of combined active duty and reserve service. Since then, she's remained deeply active in the military community. Her current role is the coordinator of the Hospice and Palliative Care Program at the Dayton VA Medical Center.

In addition to her work, she serves with many hospice and veteran organizations. She's also a volunteer nurse on the Shelby County Veterans to Washington D.C Honor Flights.

Since her beginnings as an 18-year-old ROTC student, Kathleen has dedicated herself to serving active duty military and veterans at all stages of their lives. She was fittingly inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 2012.

Kathleen now lives in Sidney with her husband. Together they have two daughters.

Ford Auto Dealers and the Dayton Dragons applaud Kathleen and all those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Please join us in thanking Kathleen for her service during the Dayton Dragons game on July 17.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing atdragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

Check out the Dayton Dragons Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from July 14, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central