Sailors were honored at a Major League Baseball game during Navy Day at the Washington Nationals ballpark May 8.

The Washington Nationals organization paid tribute to, and recognized Sailors, for their outstanding service to the nation.

Prior to the game, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Jonathan W. Greenert re-enlisted 35 Sailors from various commands around the region.

"It was an honor to be re-enlisted by the CNO," said Chief Yeoman Thomas Jackson, from Nashville, Tennessee. "It was a pretty cool experience to be out on the field in Nationals Park with all the Sailors and to receive all the recognition from the fans. It was much appreciated and quite humbling."

Vice Adm. William Hilarides, commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), threw the first pitch of the game to Nationals' reliever Tanner Roark.

"I really appreciate our good neighbors, the Washington Nationals, offering me the opportunity to throw out the Navy Day's first pitch. What an honor," said Hilarides.

Other pregame ceremonies included a presentation from Sailors of the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Color Guard, as well as a performance from Musician 1st Class Kenny Ray Horton, lead singer of the U.S. Navy Band's country and bluegrass band "Country Current", who sang the national anthem and "God Bless America."

"Being asked to do the national anthem for any event is an honor for me," said Horton. "That tells me that they are entrusting me to sing a song that stands for everything we live, fight and die for in this country. It is a song that instills pride in many that have served this country as good citizens, military members or both."

Horton then spoke about the crowd.

"To be honored with being asked to do this in front of a crowd that is there to show support for my Navy and my shipmates who are defending our country, forward deployed and consistently ready, is humbling," Horton said. "The folks that showed up to show their enthusiasm for all of us in uniform is the ultimate definition of people putting our warfighters first."

The Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 9-2 behind a strong performance from starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez and got two home runs from both second baseman Danny Espinosa and right fielder Bryce Harper.