Celebrate Our Armed Forces And Veterans On 5/19
Bridgewater, New Jersey – The Somerset Patriots, the New York Yankees Double-A affiliate, will host their annual Veterans of America Day at TD Bank Ballpark on Sunday, May 19. The pre-game ceremony will begin at approximately 12:10 pm before the scheduled 1:05 pm game versus the Portland Sea Dogs (Boston
Bridgewater, New Jersey – The Somerset Patriots, the New York Yankees Double-A affiliate, will host their annual Veterans of America Day at TD Bank Ballpark on Sunday, May 19. The pre-game ceremony will begin at approximately 12:10 pm before the scheduled 1:05 pm game versus the Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox).
BID IN GAME-WORN JERSEY AND HATS!
All active military members and Veterans will receive complimentary tickets to the game with discounted $7.00 Upper Box tickets for their guests. Tickets are available online BY CLICKING HERE, by calling (908) 252-0700, or at the box office located at TD Bank Ballpark. If ordering online, Veterans will fill out a registration form and be contacted by a team representative to coordinate the complimentary and discounted ticket(s). Online orders are subject to fees.
The event will kick off with a Veterans March beginning down the right field line led by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 233’s color guard.
The program will include guest speakers Major General John T. Reim and Master Sargent Blake Allen, as well as Somerset County Commissioner Director and Air Force Veteran (Avionics Specialist) Shanel Robinson and Patriots Co-Chairman Jonathan Kalafer.
MG Reim, a native of Franklinville, NJ, has served as the Joint Program Executive Officer Armaments & Ammunition and the Commanding General, Picatinny Arsenal since June 2022. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY in 1990 and held a variety of leadership and staff positions within the 3rd Infantry Division, Germany and XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, NC before entering the Acquisition Corps.
MSG Allen, originally from Arvada, CO, served 16 years of active-duty service as an enlisted Infantryman in the United States Army in Germany, Colorado and then Hawaii. He served combat tours in both Afghanistan and Egypt. MSG Allen received assignment to the prestigious United States Military Academy, where he currently serves as the Brigade Operations NCOIC for the Brigade Tactical Department.
Participating partners of the event include USO, New Jersey Veterans Network, Somerset County Office of Veterans Services, U.S Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Army Recruitment, Operation Shoebox New Jersey, Maguire Air Force Base, Special Forces Charitable Trust, New Jersey Golf Foundation’s PGA Hope, GYSGT Basilone MCL Detachment, as well as American Legions, VFW chapters and other military and Veterans organizations throughout the state.
Patriots players and coaches will be wearing Armed Forces themed jerseys during the game that will be auctioned off online to benefit local Veterans and military non-profits supported by the Patriots. The team will be hosting a 50/50 raffle on site to support military non-profit organizations.
Fans are being asked to support a collection event for Operation Shoebox New Jersey to send care packages to troops serving around the world. Fans are being asked to bring the following items:
- Lip balm
- Sun block
- Moist wipes
- Bug spray - non-aerosol
- Bars of soap
- Small bottles of shampoo
- Deodorant - non-aerosol
- Powdered drink mixes
- Cereal/Snack/Granola bars
- Instant oatmeal - individual packets
- Boxes of hot chocolate (individual packets)
- Small cans of tuna with pop-tops
- Small cans of fruit with pop-tops Microwave popcorn - individual bags
- Athletic socks
- Batteries - all sizes
- Gum
- Candy
- Small boxes of cereal
- Small bags of trail mix, peanuts, pretzels