San Diego Padres' Host Military Opening Night

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Daniel Sanford, Combat Camera Group Pacific

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Thousands of service members were recognized during the San Diego Padres' Military Opening Night game at Petco Park April 14.

Prior to the start of the game, 16 service members, recognized as service-wide front-runners in the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard, were honored on the field.

The Padres' announcer also asked each individual active duty, Reserve and retired service member to stand so they could be acknowledged for their service.

Following the presentation, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3MAW) Band from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar played the national anthem, while Edwards Air Force Base Color Guard presented the colors. During the national anthem, a procession of Sailors from Naval Base San Diego carried the 50 U.S. state flags.

As the anthem concluded, a Coast Guard HH-60J Jayhawk helicopter performed a flyover of the stadium.

"I'm glad it's a ceremonial pitch because I'm certainly not trying out for the Padres," said Marine Corps Major Gen. Thomas Conant, 3MAW commanding general and guest of honor, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

However, the game didn't officially begin until Jacob and Jeremiah Bruce said "play ball."

The two young boys, along with their sister, Aleah, and mother, Legalman 1st Class Jessica Bruce, were brought onto the field so the boys could kick off the game.

But before Jacob and Jeremiah could officially begin the game, a video greeting from their father, Chief Master-at-Arms Todd Bruce, three months into a one-year deployment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, played on the Petco Park big screen.

"My daughter cried, the boys were excited. I'm still shaking," said Bruce. "I'd like to thank Navy Region Southwest and the Padres organization for making this happen. It was awesome."

Logistics Specialist 1st Class Lonny Wedell, who returned from a seven-month deployment to Qatar April 9, arrived in uniform to take advantage of the Padre's half-price tickets for uniformed service members.

"I got a front row seat behind the visitors' dugout," he said. "I think the Padres' are known for supporting the military more than any other team and what they're doing for us is pretty awesome."

Master-at-Arms Seaman Apprentice Hannah Sutton, who carried the Montana state flag during the procession, was also excited to attend.

"I think it's nice because sometimes people don't seem to appreciate what we do so it's really great when you see something like this," said Sutton, from Shepherd, Mont. "When all the service members stood up to be recognized, it was nice to hear the applause."

Master-at-Arms Seaman Apprentice Samantha Riker, from Luther, Mich., carried the Idaho state flag and this was the first professional baseball game she attended.

"The field was really big and I'd never been on such a large area where everyone was staring at me," she said. "I was really nervous."

Members of the Wounded Warrior Battalion Detachment from Naval Medical Center (NMC) San Diego enjoyed the game in hospitality suites.

Marine Gunnery Sgt. David Rohde, a 17-year veteran originally from Sandy, Utah, enjoyed watching the game from the suite.

"This is my first time at the stadium," said Rohde, who suffered injuries from an improvised explosive device. "I enjoyed seeing all the state flags and hearing the Marine Corps Band. It was well put together and a good show. It's great that Northrop Grumman could host this suite for us."

The Padres wore their desert camouflage uniforms to honor service members and although losing 6-1 to the Atlanta Braves, Padres' All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez had a broader perspective on the night's meaning.

"We're able to play this game here because of what the military does out there," he said. "We just want to thank the military for all our freedom. Today is our way of giving them a little bit of recognition."