The Los Angeles Dodgers welcomed approximately 200 active-duty service members from the nation’s U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Space Force, along with veterans and their families to Dodger Stadium for a special Veterans Day event.
Military members were treated to rotation of activities that included batting practice, photo opportunity with the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series trophy, and various activities in the renovated center field plaza and bullpen.
Tony Gonsolin was on hand for the batting practice portion of the Veterans Day event, and Eric Karros joined Dodgers vice president of external affairs and community relations Naomi Rodriguez for a special Q & A session later in the afternoon.
The event was presented by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, who were represented by their behavioral health director Dr. Jonathan Sherin.
“After two years of not having our veterans here to celebrate them, we open Dodger Stadium,” said Rodriguez, who has overseen prior Veterans Day batting practice events along with other initiatives.
“Welcoming our veterans, letting them know that we support them, we love them and mainly that we thank them for their service and dedication to our country and community.”
Gonsolin added it was an “honor” to participate in his first Veterans Day event at Dodger Stadium. Justin Turner, Gavin Lux, Billy Ashley, Ron Cey, Tommy Davis and Dennis Powell are among those who have previously been on hand in the past.
Dodgers back to normal with Veterans Day event
Because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Dodgers transitioned last year to having members of the front office send letters of gratitude and care packages to veterans and active military personnel.
Plus a group participated in a town hall and completed an All-Star Legacy project by renovating a courtyard at the Volunteers of America Ballington Plaza Apartments in the Skid Row neighborhood of downtown L.A.
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