From the first pitch until the seventh-inning stretch, military personnel were invited to participate in the Miami Marlins Military Appreciation Night, May 1, during their game against the Cleveland Indians.

The Sailors and Coast Guardsmen are in South Florida for Fleet Week Port Everglades and the majority of military personnel serve on one of the four U.S. Navy and two U.S. Coast Guard ships here for the event. The ships are:  USS New York (LPD 21), USS Hue City (CG 66), USS Albany (SSN 753), USS Farragut (DDG 99) and the two U.S. Coast Guard cutters Spencer and William Flores.

Free tickets were provided to hundreds of service members for the game and many of them were offered the chance to perform a host of activities to give the evening a distinctive military look. Once Rear Adm. Gary Mayes, Commander, Navy Region Southeast, threw out the first pitch, the team highlighted military personnel throughout the game.

Navy Band Southeast performed the music and vocals for the national anthem while the U.S. Coast Guard provided the Color Guard. Other opportunities included handing the line-up card to the home plate umpire with the Marlins’ coach, delivering the rosin bag to the mound, serving as honorary grounds crewmen, doing the 7th inning stretch and even starting the game off right by shouting “Play Ball.”

Fire Controlman Aegis Third Class Bridgette Strzok, serving aboard USS Hue City (CG 66), was honored as the Service Member of the Game receiving an American flag from one of the players. She said it was a moment she will never forget.

“My goodness, it was breathtaking. The announcer started talking and I looked in the stands and people were clapping and waving for our services. I got chills. It was a great moment to represent the Navy.”

The Marlins were pleased to be able to offer the opportunities to the service members and happy that they all had a fun evening.

“We were honored to host the men and women who serve our country to protect our freedom for a ballgame at Marlins Park,” said Marlins Senior Vice President of Marketing and Community Relations Elisa Padilla. “Our appreciation goes beyond words, and it was great to see them smiling and enjoying the game.”

This is the 29th annual Fleet Week Port Everglades which provides an opportunity for the citizens of South Florida to witness first-hand the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services. About 2,000 Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen are in town to showcase the capabilities of today’s military and build relationships with the general public. Fleet Week will run through May 6 when the ships depart to return to their homeports.

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For more news from Commander, Navy Region Southeast, visit www.navy.mil/.