IronBirds salute APG military

By Yvonne Johnson, APG NewsAugust 19, 2014

IronBirds salute APG military
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Aberdeen Proving Ground leaders and Soldiers enjoyed a night of patriotic revelry during the Aberdeen IronBirds Military Appreciation Night festivities at Ripken Stadium Aug. 7.

The team hosts the annual event to salute America's military and Aberdeen Proving Ground service members in particular.

The pre-game festivities featured service members rom multiple units unrolling a giant flag in center field.

"There were recruiters from the Marine Corps and Maryland National Guard, Soldiers from APG tenant organizations and even children of some of the Soldiers," said 1st Sgt. Daniel Nelson, of APG's HHC Garrison. "We tried to include everyone."

Pfc. Stacy Dobson of the APG Garrison sang the national anthem as the Soldiers held the flag and Dobson and the Soldiers received a rousing ovation from the audience.

Prior to the anthem, Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Adams marched up to the pitcher's mound, looked IronBirds pitcher Stephen Tarpley - who was catching at home plate - in the eye and threw out the first pitch.

APG's military might also was on display in the form of a tactical vehicle in front of Ripken Stadium courtesy of the 20th CBRNE Command and the 203rd Military Intelligence Battalion.

Inside the stadium Sgt. Channing Walton and other 203rd MI Soldiers hosted a display of Army small arms fire power and James Rouse, JPEO CBD program manager and exhibits coordinator, showed visitors models of the Stryker chemical detection vehicle, mobile Analytical Lab System and Unified Command Suite vehicles used in chemical detection and analysis. In addition, Army Community Service representatives Marilyn Howard, Nancy Goucher and Sandra Ackerman and the Army Substance Abuse Program's Cindy Scott displayed their organizations' missions and services.

While APG leaders such as Maj. Gen. Peter Utley, commander of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, and Garrison Commander Col. Gregory McClinton, were in attendance, they stepped back to let their Soldiers and guests - a group of Gold Star Mothers and five Wounded Warriors - experience the festivities.

In between innings Soldiers participated in fun challenges with two receiving a complimentary dinner after winning the Best Seat in the House challenge and others receiving upgraded seating.

"Aberdeen Proving Ground is just a blessing to us," said Janice Chance, 2nd vice president and chaplain of the Maryland Chapter of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. "They invite us to every event and never miss a chance to remind us that we are part of the APG Family. It's a joy for us to see them appreciated by this community."