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The veterans were there as part of the second annual Salute to Veterans Weekend, put on by state Rep. John C. Bear. More than 1,000 tickets for the game were distributed to veterans and their guests. The event sold out in five days.
"Too often these things are held in a school and in an auditorium, with veterans only being recognized by other veterans," Bear, a Lititz Republican, said. "We wanted to do something fun and out in public."
Bear started the Salute last year after constituents, particularly his local Veterans of Foreign Wars Women's Auxiliary, approached him about planning such an event. The Salute continues this morning at Penn Cinema, where 500 tickets were distributed for "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" and "Flags of Our Fathers."
"It's beautiful," said Vietnam veteran Jules Guzejko of Quarryville. "It's nice when we get recognized. My generation, they didn't care for military much. But they do now. It's nice to see that." Guzejko came wearing his full Navy uniform, complete with white sailor hat.
A pregame ceremony honoring the veterans was hosted by former WGAL anchorman Dick Hoxworth, himself an Air Force vet. Hoxworth noted that the phrase on one war memorial is "Freedom Is Not Free" and also that President John F. Kennedy once said, "The cost of freedom is high, but there will also be those willing to pay the price."
Participating in the ceremony were: the Valley Forge Military Academy Band; the Marine Corps League, Lancaster County Detachment No. 294; VFW No. 1463 of Lititz; and the Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard.
While the band played "You're a Grand Old Flag," members of Boy Scout Troops 27, 44, 142, 154 and 156 of Lititz and Warwick took the field bearing an enormous American flag.
"It's nice to reflect on the things that our country has done," said Troop 156 member Zach Engroff, who has family in the Marine Corps. Daniel Miller, of Troop 154, added, "It feels really good to be able to give back a little bit."
Miller's father is serving overseas. Both boys are students at Warwick High School.
Among the veterans attending the game was Matt Woodburn of Ephrata, who served in Iraq. "I think it's a great thing, but being young, I feel outnumbered," he laughed. Joining him was his wife, Kristi, who said, "I'm glad he's home. Not enough people realize what Memorial Day means. People think it's the start of summer, but it means more."
Each branch of the armed forces was recognized in turn, starting with the Coast Guard and proceeding through the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines. Hoxworth asked each branch's veterans to wave and be acknowledged. That was followed by a moment of silence, a rifle salute and Taps.
Navy Chief Petty Officer Christopher Riggs threw the ceremonial first pitch before the Barnstormers took on the Bridgeport Bluefish.
Dave Miller, a Lititz resident who attended with his father, an Army veteran, noted the difficult nature of war.
"It's a Catch 22," Miller said. "We don't want (the armed forces) overseas because people get killed, but we want freedom here. We want peace."
"It's a time to think about all the lives that were lost," said John Gulick, a New Holland veteran. "It's a time to think about those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
"Plus we're here for hot dogs, hamburgers and baseball," he said.
E-mail: dmartin@lnpnews.com
