Patriot Guard Riders

P.O.W. / M.I.A. Memorial Dedication

And Remembrance Ceremony

Bridgewater, New Jersey

18 AUG 2013

The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to participate along with other veteran organizations in a P.O.W. / M.I.A. Memorial Dedication and Remembrance Ceremony.

The Somerset Patriots Baseball Club will unveil a permanent tribute to POW’s and soldiers Missing In Action at TD Bank Ballpark, 860 East Main Street, Bridgewater, New Jersey as part of the team’s Veterans of America Day on Sunday, August 18th, 2013.

The Somerset Patriots will be the first professional sports team in New Jersey to dedicate a “Missing Man Chair” in honor of the men and women who served our country and did not return home.

The Somerset Patriots have dedicated an area of the ballpark on the main concourse behind home plate for the tribute. The area will feature the “Missing Man Chair” and a plaque commemorating the sacrifices made by U.S. troops serving our nation.

“The Missing Man Chair” will serve as a reminder to our fans of the men and women who so bravely fought for our country and are listed as missing in action or as prisoners of war. It is a tremendous honor for us to recognize these courageous individuals who are true Patriots,” said Patrick McVerry, President/General Manager of the Somerset Patriots Baseball Club.

The unveiling will take place at the conclusion of the Veterans of America Day ceremony, which is scheduled to begin at 4:15 pm, where the Somerset Patriots, along with the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 452, the American Legion Riders Post 12, the Patriot Guard Riders and others will honor veterans and current military members before the Patriots game against the Sugar Land Skeeters at TD Bank Ballpark.

All veterans in attendance will be recognized for their courage and service to the United States. The pre-game ceremony includes guests of honor Colonel Jack H. Jacobs and Specialist Four Andy Martin.

Col. Jacobs is a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor (1969) for actions in Vietnam and also has two Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts. He was in the U.S Army and the platoon leader in the 82ndAirborne Division. He also served as the Battalion Executive Officer in the 7th Infantry Division and a Battalion Commander for the 10th Infantry Regiment in Panama.

Specialist Four Martin is a Vietnam Veteran who served in the 2nd Battalion- 47th Infantry of the United States Army. He is the recipient of the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, and two Army Commendations for Valor.

The ceremony will feature a special Honor Guard from Marine Corps League Hunterdon County Bulldogs and Vietnam Veterans of America- Chapter 452 and The Rifle Squad from the Marine Corps League Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone detachment, a rifle salute, and Echo Taps. There will also a reenactment of the flag-raising on Iwo Jima by Marines who have just returned from Iraq.

There will be a military fly-over with World War II planes and military vehicles around the ballpark for fans to view before the game. Military vehicles are also being provided for the event by Central Jersey Motor Pool.

All veterans will receive complimentary admission to the game, while all family, friends, and other guests of veterans will be able to purchase discounted tickets for upper box seats.

We would like to have a good turnout for this event. If at all possible, please come out and let’s show our respect for those heroes who have never come home, and bring your family for a night at a baseball game.

As stadium management has not finalized all the details, this remains a somewhat fluid situation as to where we will be setting up in the ball park. This will be discussed at the briefing.

Management has also asked that I provide them with a head count no later than Saturday at noon of the people attending (veterans and non-veterans) so that the proper number of tickets are reserved for PGR members and families. Please contact me at the e-mail address below with your head counts.

Staging: PGR members riding their motorcycles will meet in the west parking lot under the solar panel array nearest the ballpark. Automobile drivers are asked to park in regular parking spaces.

Staging time will be at 2:30 PM at the ball park.

A mandatory briefing will be held at 2:45 PM under the solar panel array.

We will have a flag line in place by 3:30 PM at the latest.

The ball park is easily accessible from Interstate 287 – Exit 13

Weather forecast is predicted to be 80 degrees at 3 PM and dropping to 71 by 9 PM with a zero percent chance of rain.

Please hydrate and dress accordingly for the trip home at the end of the game if you are riding.

Bring your 3X5 flag to participate in the flag line.

Please ride safely to and from the event.

RCIC: Ed Morgan

edmorgan@patriotguard.org

908-448-1988