Health & Fitness
Somerset Patriots, Operation Shoebox To Host Special Flag Day Celebration
Funds will help support U.S. troops.
The five-time Atlantic League Champion and Operation Shoebox New Jersey will host a special Flag Day Celebration at TD Bank Ballpark for the game on Thursday, June 14.
There will be a special pre-game ceremony beginning at approximately 6:35 p.m. to salute the flag and honor the men and women who serve our country. There will be a pre-game flag parade around the warning track during the ceremonies. Several members of the U.S. military will also be on hand to be honored during the pre-game ceremony.
The Somerset Patriot players, led by manager Sparky Lyle, will sign a banner that will be displayed on the concourse for all fans to sign. The banner will be sent to a soldier in Afghanistan as part of an Operation Shoebox New Jersey care package.
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Noted historian and author Richard Pierce will be on hand to sign copies of his book, "The Stars & Stripes, Fabric of the American Spirit." All proceeds will be donated to Operation Shoebox New Jersey, which will also be conducting a 50-50 raffle to help raise money to ship care packages overseas to our troops.
Fans can also sign up for the Patriots' Victory Campaign to pledge their support for U.S. troops overseas. All Victory Campaign members receive four free tickets to any Patriots' home game Monday-Thursday during the 2012 season and a chance to win a limited edition autographed print of Sparky Lyle in Yankee pinstripes from his 1977 Cy Young season.
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Throughout the game and during pre-game ceremonies, the scoreboard will display photos of U.S. troops overseas who have received packages from Operation Shoebox New Jersey, along with excerpts from their letters to the organization.
"We are proud of our partnership with the Somerset Patriots, an organization that exemplifies the compassion and patriotism that serve as the foundation of Operation Shoebox New Jersey," said Rod Hirsch, founder and executive director. "Spending a day at the ballpark is a true American tradition, symbolized by the huge American flag in centerfield, a stirring reminder of the pride and dedication of U.S. military personnel serving overseas."
The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive a red, white and blue cinch sack and fans will receive miniature American flags when they enter the gates for the 7:05 p.m. game against the York Revolution.
