Attendees check out the vehicle display, part of the Military Appreciation Night festivities on Leidos Field
at Ripken Stadium July 1.

APG Senior Commander Maj. Gen. Mitchell Kilgo throws out the first pitch during Military Appreciation Night festivities on Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium July 1.

APG’s Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Sgt. Elizabeth Melendez, left, a medical laboratory sergeant of the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense and APG’s Soldier of the Year Spc. Zachary Bayer, a medical laboratory technician, also of MRICD, were honored as “Hometown Heroes” during the Military Appreciation Night festivities on Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium July 1.

ABERDEEN, Md. – The Aberdeen IronBirds, a Baltimore Orioles farm team, saluted the U.S. Armed Forces during its annual Military Appreciation Night festivities on Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium, June 30.

APG provided a variety of vehicles, displays and personnel during the patriotic event.
Pregame festivities included the national anthem sung by Staff Sgt. Javon Griffith, U.S. Army Public Health Center and the ceremonial first pitch by APG Senior Commander Maj. Gen. Mitchell Kilgo.

Kilgo recognized the veterans and Gold Star family members in attendance and thanked the community for their continued support.

Mary Jane Jernigan, the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Maryland, presented a coin to Carman Brett Daddario of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command C5ISR Center. He served as project manager for an emergency response communications security solution that allowed remote access services for APG to successfully support relief efforts directly linked to COVID-19.

A coin was also presented to Justin Strand of the C5ISR Center. Strand served as the primary point of contact on the Crisis Management Team for COVID-19 mandatory reports, which ensured leadership and employees received timely and crucial information.

During the game, APG’s Soldier of the Year Spc. Zachary Bayer, a medical laboratory technician for the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense and APG’s Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Sgt. Elizabeth Melendez, a medical laboratory sergeant of MRICD, were honored as “Hometown Heroes.”

Tenant displays

The event also included displays by various tenants. Attendees had the opportunity to pose in a “bird’s nest” with an eagle mascot, a nod to the installation’s thriving eagle population.

Vehicle displays include the APG Helmet Car, a Humvee from the 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives Command and a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle from ATEC’s Aberdeen Test Center. Military reenactor Don Marshall showed visitors his authentic World War II Jeep.

Karen Nikol, public affairs officer with the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Activity, said she was glad to support.

“It is always a pleasure to see our APG Soldiers, civilians and families in the community participating in events like this,” she said. “CMA is happy to represent the many organizations on post,” she said.

Kathy DeWeese, Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives said she usually provides information to attendees during the event.

“PEO ACWA is proud to be a part of recognizing APG’s Soldiers and veterans,” she said.
“Chemical weapons expertise has long been a part of APG’s history and it’s a pleasure to speak with
people here who have expertise with chemical defense programs and want to share their memories.”

The Aberdeen IronBirds split a doubleheader against the Brooklyn Cyclones, a New York Mets farm
team, winning the first game 2-1, and dropping the second by a 7-6 score.