MILITARY INITIATIVES

As the home of the national pastime in the Nation's Capital, the Washington Nationals are proud to work with the large community of military bases, installations and hospitals that serve as permanent or temporary homes to more than 500,000 military service members and their families living in the Washington Metropolitan area. The Nationals have made military outreach a top priority, so much so that USO Metropolitan Washington honored the team with the Legacy of Hope Award during their 2012 Awards Gala.

The Nationals partner with various groups within the military community to create special opportunities that highlight the indelible spirit of our nation's military forces, while fostering a unique connection between service members and the community of baseball fans that support them. Below are a few of the many initiatives currently in place:

In-Game Military Salute

The Nationals offer premium seating in the exclusive Lexus Presidents Club for select military groups during every game, providing a special experience for wounded veterans, active duty service members and their families.
A gourmet buffet, complimentary in-seat food and beverage service and views of the underground batting cages and postgame press conference are included.
Honorees are recognized on NatsHD at the end of the 3rd inning and have always received a standing ovation from fans.
Military leadership, as well as numerous elected officials, Supreme Court Justices and celebrities have all requested to honor wounded service members by taking part in the In-Game Military Salute.

Me and a Friend Program

In association with the Department of Defense and the USO of Metropolitan Washington, this program recognizes the unique challenges that military children face as they continually relocate due to their parents' military assignments. This special program offers military children a sense of stability and allows them to enjoy being kids.
The Nationals provide tickets to children of active duty service members for every Sunday game of the season giving them the opportunity to use the free tickets to connect with peers and help make new friends.
The group receives a visit from Nationals mascot, Screech and are first in line to participate in "Kids Run the Bases" after the game.
The Nationals were the first organization to partner with the USO of Metropolitan Washington on the Me and a Friend program.

Team Visits to Military Hospitals

Since 2005, the Nationals have regularly visited Walter Reed Army Medical Center to meet with wounded service members. In 2010, the club became the first Washington-area team to visit National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. The Nationals have continued these visits at the new combined facility, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, located in Bethesda.
Additionally, wounded veterans have had the opportunity to step outside the confines of a traditional rehab facility to work on their physical therapy at Nationals Park. In coordination with the Nationals Community Relations department, groups have visited the ballpark to play catch on the field and hit in the Nationals batting cages.

Patriotic Series

The Nationals have designated a series of games to honor and recognize all those who serve as members of the armed forces.
2013 dates have strong military connections and include:
- April 27: Military Appreciation Day
- May 27: Memorial Day
- July 4: Independence Day
- September 13: Heroes Day
Much of the on-field programming prior to these games will honor service members and their families, while players and coaches will wear the team's patriotic uniforms featuring the Stars and Stripes Curly "W."

Military Branch Days

The Nationals will honor each of the five service branches with their own patriotic themed-game throughout the 2013 season.
The U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Marine Corps will participate in all assets and special guests from each respective branch will be in attendance.
Tentative dates for 2013 include:
- April 12: U.S. Navy
- May 8: U.S. Marine Corps
- June 20: U.S. Army
- August 5: U.S. Coast Guard
- September 19: U.S. Air Force

Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team (WWAST)

Comprised of veterans and active duty service members from across the United States, each member of the WWAST has lost at least one limb while serving our country. Using the latest in prosthetic technology, the team travels around the country competing at the highest levels while facing only able-bodied opponents.
The Nationals invite the WWAST to Viera, Fla., to visit with Nationals players and prospects during Spring Training. Throughout the visit, the WWAST players share some of their personal experiences with the team and are able to use the facilities at Space Coast Stadium for their own spring workouts.
In 2012, the Nationals hosted the Second Annual Wounded Warrior Amputee Celebrity Softball Classic where the WWAST took on a group of D.C.-area celebrities in hopes of defending the title they handily earned in 2011. Senior military from the Pentagon attended the event to support the WWAST team, while more than 20 local and national media outlets covered the event.
Over the years of the partnership, the Nationals have helped garner a tremendous amount of media attention for the WWAST team, resulting in an invitation from MLB for two WWAST players to participate in the 2012 Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game. Not only did both players perform well, but Matt Kinsey earned Most Valuable Player honors at the game.

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

The Nationals work closely to support TAPS, a nonprofit organization that provides 24/7 resources to those who have been deeply affected by the loss of a loved one in military service.
Complimentary tickets are donated to the organization throughout the season in an effort to provide a fun and supportive environment for members of the group to connect and heal.
Children and mentors are also invited to take part in unique experiences at Nationals Park.

Discounted Game Tickets

Military service members receive deeply discounted Nationals tickets available exclusively to them. Tickets can be purchased through MWR and ITT offices at area bases and the Pentagon.
Most ticket levels also include a food and beverage credit to reduce the total cost of the outing.

Gameday Activities

During home games, the Nationals frequently invite military groups to participate in special experiences, including:
- Pregame Performances and Presentations
- Warning Track Parades
- Ceremonial First Pitches
- Color Guards
- National Anthem Performers
- Line-up Deliveries
- Starting Nine
- Play Ball Announcers
- Game Ball Delivery (developed in 2010 and only utilized for military recognition)
- Public Service Announcements
In 2012, the Nationals had more than 500 service members and their families take part in pregame ceremonies.
The success of the Nationals military programs depends largely on the relationships the team has built with key military and community partners. The Nationals worked closely with the Department of Defense to ensure these programs are both inclusive and appropriate for all branches of the military. The team also partners with military organizations like USO, TAPS, Our Military Kids, Armed Forces Foundation and the Yellow Ribbon Fund to maximize the team's outreach within the military community.

Ticket and Memorabilia Donations

During the past three years, more than 50,000 Nationals tickets have been donated to military and veteran groups.
Additionally, more than 14,000 discounted military tickets were sold through local MWR and ITT offices.
The team donates memorabilia and experience packages year-round to raise funds for charities that benefit service members and their families.
For donation requests, please visit www.nationals.com/donations

For more information on the Nationals military initiatives, please contact the Community Relations Department at community.relations@nationals.com

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