This summer is turning out to be a hot one and so are the Law
Enforcement Nights at Major League Baseball games across the country.
We kicked off May with National Police Week in Washington, DC, where
the Washington Nationals honored law enforcement on May 15 as the Nationals
took on the New York Yankees. Despite the rain, it was still a fun night out
for all who attended. The National Law Enforcement Museum, which will open in
October, received the Washington Nationals Spirit Award. Our thanks to Kevin
Nawrocki and the Nationals for supporting and honoring law enforcement during
National Police Week.
The honoring of law enforcement continued in the "Windy
City" on May 23 as the Chicago Cubs hosted their annual law enforcement
appreciation night at Wrigley Field. The Cubs battled the Cleveland Indians and
fell short in a 1-0 score. Each fan that purchased the law enforcement package
received a Cubs law enforcement tumbler. Prior to the game, members of the
Chicago (IL) Police Department Honor Guard presented the colors and performed
the national anthem while law enforcement officers and their families were
honored throughout the game. Our thanks to Patrick Anhut and Jason Tuton of the
Chicago Cubs Groups Sales Team for another first-class event.
May finished strong as the Kansas City Royals honored law enforcement
on May 29 as they took on the Minnesota Twins and won in a final score of 2-1. It
was also a win for law enforcement as prior to the game Les Kerr, a well-known
native of Kansas and a law enforcement professional, threw out the ceremonial
first pitch (it was a strike). Kansas City (MO) Police Officer Dustin
Dierenfeldt sang the national anthem as the Olathe (KS) Police Department Honor
Guard presented the colors. Each fan in attendance that bought the special law
enforcement ticket package received a commemorative challenge coin. Our
thanks to Scott Barthelmass, Ariel Peralta and the Royals for supporting
local law enforcement.
The winning kept going on May 30 as National Law Enforcement
Officers Memorial Fund staff traveled to "Motor City" as the Detroit
Tigers battled the Los Angeles Angels and won in a final score of 6-1. Comerica
Park was again showing its support for law enforcement as fans were treated to
a police car display in front of the ballpark from a variety of Michigan police
agencies. During the pre-game ceremony, retired U.S. Border Patrol Agent Mark
Hall was recognized for his 33 years of service to the Border Patrol and its Detroit
Station. Mark was presented with a letter and gift on behalf of Memorial Fund CEO
Craig Floyd.
Throwing out a fast ball for the ceremonial first pitch was Police
Unity Tour Executive Director Harry Phillips. The Downriver Honor Guard, which
is a part of the Michigan SMART Honor Guard, presented the colors. Fans also
witnessed a Blackhawk helicopter flyover by the U.S. Customs and Border
Protection Detroit Air Station. Each fan that purchased the special ticket
package received a law enforcement challenge coin and Thin Blue Line USA
bracelet. During the game, fans were treated to a special video about StandWith Honor, a law enforcement membership at the National Law Enforcement
Museum. At the game, a group of Police Unity Tour riders from the Capital City
Chapter caught up with Harry Phillips and Memorial Fund staff. Due
to the popularity and high demand of this event, a second date has been
added for Sunday August 12. Tickets are on sale now at www.tigers.com/law2.
Big shout-out and salute
to Dan Foley, Mark Hall, Brent Clark, Kris Grogan, Jerry Connors, Betsy
Bouillon and the Tigers staff for making this event one of the premier group
events at Comerica Park.
We got a chance to catch our breath in June, which turned out to
be a good month as the Memorial Fund paid a visit to the Colorado Rockies
on June 10 and the Cleveland Indians on June 23. The Denver (CO) Police
Department Honor Guard presented colors at the Rockies game. Our thanks to the Bill
Swank organization and the Cleveland State University Honor Guard for
presenting the colors at Progressive Field during the Indians Law Enforcement
Night.
Summer is heating up and so are the sporting events. The
July 4th week kicked off in Tampa Florida as the Rays hosted Law Enforcement
Day at Tropicana Field. The Lakeland (FL) Police Honor Guard made the 60-mile
trip south to St. Petersburg and presented the colors. The Rays took on
the 2017 World Series Houston Astros and came out on top in a final 3-2 win!
The Rays’ special ticket package included a Rays baseball cap, free parking, the
Rays Touch Tank and access to the Ted Williams Museum. Thanks to Yolanda
Fernandez, the St. Petersburg (FL) Police Department, Jeanne Drury, Kim Couts
and the Tampa Bay Rays for the hospitality.
