News

Lee Flames Baseball will host Military Appreciation Day on Saturday, April 6, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Lee University’s Olympic Field. The event, originally scheduled for March 23, was postponed due to inclement weather.

Military Appreciation Day will center around the Flames’ double-header against Talladega College, with the first pitch thrown by a veteran from the community. In addition, the Civil Air Patrol will perform a flyover during the National Anthem.

The invocation will be led by Dr. Ben Perez, U.S. Air Force veteran. The National Anthem and “God Bless America” will be performed by Mary Hobbs, U.S. Marine Corp veteran, and Jared Barton, U.S. Army veteran, along with an ensemble from First Baptist Church.

Three honorary first pitches will be thrown. The three men throwing first pitches are George Allen, U.S. Army veteran and the only survivor of the Pearl Harbor bombing living in Cleveland; Bill Norwood, U.S. Army and Korean War veteran who was a prisoner of war in Korea for two years; and Claude Wallace, U.S. Navy and World War II veteran.

“This event is focused on honoring the veterans and active military members in the Cleveland community,” said Coach Mark Brew, Lee baseball coach and director of Military Appreciation Day. “These men and women serve selflessly and do not ask for recognition in return. It is our privilege to honor them in this way.”

Funds for the Veteran Memorial Park will be raised from a silent auction, which includes such items as commemorative military coin sets, a Chattanooga Lookouts package, MLB autographed jerseys, as well as various other MLB memorabilia. Donations will also be accepted during the game.

Funds will be raised through T-shirt sales as well, which can be purchased for $10 from Coach Brew, Jenkins Deli, the downtown branch of the Bank of Cleveland, or the Cleveland Daily Banner.

Other highlights of the day include activities for kids such as inflatables, whiffle ball, and a radar gun speed throw. Military equipment will also be on site for viewing.
Food vendors will be on location with mascots from the Chattanooga Lookouts, Chick-fil-A, and Zaxby’s.

Admission is free and everyone is welcome. Free food and goodie bags will also be given to the first 250 veterans or active military members in attendance.

For more information on Military Appreciation Day, please contact Brew at 423-614-8638 or [email protected].