Padres salute troops on Opening Day

Photo By Sgt. Keenan Zelazoski | Marines and sailors wait for the San Diego Padres opening night game to start as part of an annual Military Appreciation Day at the Petco Park stadium in San Diego, Calif., March 30, 2014. The Padres were the first team to organize an annual military appreciation event, starting in 1996. Starting in 2008, the Padres began wearing camouflage jerseys for every Sunday home game as well as Labor Day, Independence Day and Memorial Day. Close to 50 Marines represented the Marine Corps at the Padres’ opening game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, courtesy of the San Diego Padres. Before the game began, Marines stood along the first base line with members of the San Diego Padres baseball team, to salute the colors during the performance of our nation’s national anthem. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Keenan Zelazoski/released)  

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

03.30.2014

Story by Lance Cpl. Keenan Zelazoski 

1st Marine Logistics Group

SAN DIEGO - Hundreds of baseball fans cheered as Marines with 1st Marine Logistics Group marched onto the field and saluted the colors before a sold-out Padres game during Military Appreciation Day hosted by the Padres at Petco Park, March 31, 2014.

Close to 50 Marines represented the Corps at the Padres’ opening game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, along with service members of other branches, courtesy of the San Diego Padres. Before the game began, Marines stood along the first-base line with members of the San Diego Padres baseball team, to salute the colors during the performance of our national anthem.

“We take pride in being known as the team of the military,” said Ty Wojtysiak, a member of the Padres Pad Squad, made up of a group of Padres fans who ensures admission and media and fan interaction during the games run smoothly.

The Padres were the first Major League Baseball team to dedicate their opening game to the military in 1996. In 2008, the Padres began wearing camouflage jerseys for every Sunday home game as well as Labor Day, Independence Day and Memorial Day.

“It was a great experience, being able to represent the Marine Corps, and seeing a baseball game, courtesy of the Padres,” said Pfc. Scott Bongiorno, combat engineer with 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group.

The crowd went wild as service members made their way to their seats to enjoy the game after the ceremony.

“The military serves all of us, and we believe it is important give back to them, and recognize the job they do for us,” said Wojtysiak, a native of San Diego.

Throughout the game, Dodgers and Padres fans alike expressed their gratitude for service members, shaking the hands of the men and women who volunteered to answer their nation’s call to service.

“It feels strange, being thanked for doing your job, but everyone enjoys being appreciated sometimes,” said Bongiorno, a native of Danbury, Conn. “We are thankful for this supportive community.”

Despite the Padres edging out a win over the Dodgers in the final moments, fans from both teams could be found giving that one last handshake, or one last ‘thank you for your service’ as troops from all branches of the military made their way out of the stadium, and the night came to an end.

• Date Taken: 03.30.2014
• Date Posted: 04.01.2014 00:52
• Story ID: 123424
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US
• Hometown: DANBURY, CT, US
• Hometown: SAN DIEGO, CA, US