Oklahoma City Dodgers host Hometown Heroes Military Celebration Night
The Oklahoma City Dodgers will host their second Hometown Heroes Military Celebration Night of the season, presented by Dell, on August 26 at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
Players and coaches will sport commemorative camouflage jerseys as the event recognizes active-duty military members, guard members, veterans, and their families.
To start the night, the 77th Army Band will play pregame and perform God Bless America during the game. Oklahoma City MEPS, or Military Entrance Processing Station, will hold an enlistment ceremony center field with support from Fort Sill soldiers.
Soldiers, Airmen, and other military personnel will compete against each other in games like tug-of-war and push-up contests.
The 552nd Air Control Wing at Tinker Air Force Base will provide patrons with an AWACS military plane flyover showcase. The event will also include displays of the Avenger Air Defense System and Himars Artillery Rocket System from Fort Sill.
“Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark is the place to be in OKC throughout the summer,” said Oklahoma City Dodgers President and General Manager, Michael Byrnes.
“The opportunity to honor servicemembers with our Hometown Heroes program and partner with organizations such as USO is just one of the many ways the Dodgers organization aims to contribute to quality of life in Oklahoma City.”
USO Oklahoma, a branch of United Services Organizations, will be the night’s nonprofit of the game. The organization provides citizens with opportunities to serve military members through volunteering and partnerships. USO Oklahoma hosts a location in MEPS. Programs to the Oklahoma National Guard and Tinker Air Force Base are also provided through outreach efforts.
“It came together organically…as we began to discuss Hometown Heroes Night and how USO could be involved, it became abundantly clear that they should assist with piloting the program,” Oklahoma City Dodgers Vice President of Corporate Partnerships, Jim Flavin said.
Five dollars from each ticket sold, using the special USO link through August 26, will be donated by the Dodgers in support of the organization.
“We are excited and grateful for the recognition by the OKC Dodgers. It is extra special we are selected for their military appreciation night as the USO, for over 80 years, has strengthened our nation’s military by keeping them connected to family, home, and country,” Executive Director of USO Oklahoma and Arkansas, Jennifer Waters said.
“We are the premier nonprofit providing morale boosting support to the active duty, guard, reserve, and their families.”
The Hometown Heroes Night featuring Chamber members USO Oklahoma and the Oklahoma City Dodgers is presented by fellow member, Dell. Special group rates and hats are available for groups of 10 or more.
The Oklahoma City Dodgers organization said it will continue to look for potential partners in supporting military programming and celebrations and encourages anyone interested in assisting with military recognitions to contact the Dodgers’ partnership department.
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