Cincinnati Reds host military appreciation night

Newly selected U.S. Air Force recruits stand in formation as Airman 1st Class MeLan Smartt sings the National Anthem during pregame ceremonies at the Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati, Ohio, Aug. 10, 2018. The Cincinnati Reds baseball team sponsored the event in recognition of military service to the country.

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Cincinnati Reds host military appreciation night

U.S. Air Force Col. Thomas P. Sherman, 88th Air Base Wing commander, throws the first pitch during pregame ceremonies at the Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati, Ohio, Aug. 10, 2018. The Cincinnati Reds baseball team sponsored the event in recognition of military service to the country.

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Cincinnati Reds host military appreciation night

Senior Airman Abdiel Torres-Vega, 88th Security Force Squadron, entry controller receives the line-up from the Red’s umpire during pregame ceremonies at the Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati, Ohio, Aug. 10, 2018. The Cincinnati Reds baseball team sponsored the event in recognition of military service to the country.

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Cincinnati Reds host military appreciation night

Published Aug. 30, 2018
By Mark C. Lyle
88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – The Cincinnati Reds baseball team hosted a military appreciation night honoring Wright-Patterson Air Force Base military members during a game against the Arizona Diamond Backs Aug 10.

The evening began with Col. Thomas Sherman, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander accompanying eight Security Forces Airmen on the field to be recognized.

The defenders deploy world-wide in support of various contingencies and have one of the highest operational deployment rates on the base. Wright-Patterson Air Force base is Ohio’s largest single-site employer with more than 27,000 officers, enlisted, Air Force civilians and contractors employed.

Sherman also administered the Oath of Enlistment and welcomed 41 future Airmen into the Air Force. The oath is something that every service member must promise and adhere to during their entire military career.

The Air Force Band of Flight’s Airman 1st Class MeLan Smartt sang the national anthem in front of more than 19,000 fans, and the Wright-Patt Honor Guard presented the colors.

Sherman was invited to throw the ceremonial first pitch during the pre-game activities.

As the installation commander of one of the largest air base wings in the Air Force, he commands more than 5,000 Air Force military, civilian and contractor employees.

The pre-game activities concluded with Senior Airman Abdiel Torres-Vega, the game’s honorary captain, delivering the Reds game day line up to the umpire. Torres-Vega, a Security Forces defender, was promoted six months early to the rank of Senior Airman for outstanding job performance.

The Reds shut out the Diamondbacks 3-0 and cruised to a comfortable win. Currently, they are 52-66 in the National League Central Division and sit in fifth place.

Wright-Patterson has been honored at a Cincinnati Reds’ military appreciation game for over 10 years.

The Reds offer military members discounts to most home games at Great American Ballpark. Members save up to 20 percent on games during the season with tickets as low as nine dollars for most games.