There’s clearly bigger news going on in the world today than the Nationals and Giants’ series finale tonight at Nationals Park but the Nationals — with credit to some fortuitous timing — will be able to highlight the news of Osama Bin Laden’s death with a pre-planned military appreciation night that could not have come at a better time.
The Nationals honor the military at each home game throughout the season but tonight they’ll take that one step further.
Here’s what the Nationals have planned for Military Appreciation Night, per release:
This special night will pay tribute to members of all five branches of the armed forces, as representatives from each division will take part in the following pregame festivities*:
- Ceremonial First Pitch: U.S. Army
- Lineup Card Delivery: U.S. Marines
- Starting 9: Representatives from the Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Navy, ANG and ARNG
- Game Ball Delivery: U.S. Air Force
- Play Ball: U.S. Coast Guard
- National Anthem: U.S. Navy
- Color Guard: U.S. Army
The pregame ceremony will conclude with a flyover by the U.S. Coast Guard, while videos of active duty servicemembers in Iraq will air on the scoreboard throughout the game. In addition, the Nationals will debut their blue patriotic uniforms – which feature the stars and stripes “Curly W” – in honor of this special occasion.
