During the course of the year the Dodgers honor many different groups with their own special day or night at Dodger Stadium – some are civic related, some are health industry related, some are church related and some are cultural related (to name only a few), and they are all very special for those who are connected or associated with these various groups. But on Monday, November 11, 2013, the Dodgers honored a group that is extra special, a group that every man, woman and child living in America is connected to – the veterans of the five branches of the United States Military.

Several hundred military veterans and their families were treated to a special day at Dodger Stadium.

“It’s a day that is glorified,” said Dodger Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda of this special day. “We are telling these young men and women who served in the armed forces how proud we are to have them down here at Dodger Stadium to meet some of the players and meet some of the people and have a good time because they deserve it. They’re the ones that gave their time, their energy and their life for us so that we can live in a free world.”

Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda thanks the many veterans and their families who took part in Monday’s ‘Veterans Day Batting Practice’ event.

Lasorda, who has always been very supportive and appreciative of the men and women who serve or served in our armed forces, expressed his gratitude for their sacrifice and dedication.

“Today I say to all of them ‘We’re proud of you, the Dodgers are proud of you and we’re going to make it a happy day for you, which you richly deserve.'”

Former Dodger Al “The Bull” Ferrara echoed what Lasorda had said.

“Honoring our veterans and those who served our country is probably the best day of the year for me,” said the 1966 Dodger of the Year. “They do so much for us and if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have had the wonderful life that I’ve had, I wouldn’t have been in the World Series. They fought for me, they were over there making sure that we had our freedom and they do so much for us. It’s great for me to be out here and just give a little bit back and to thank them and greet them.”

Also on hand to welcome and says thanks to our veterans were Dodger legend “Sweet” Lou Johnson and former Dodger Roy Gleason.

“These are the people who provide their lives to keep us alive,” said Johnson, the man responsible for getting the only hit and scoring the only run in Sandy Koufax’s perfect game on September 9, 1965. “I have four brothers and three of them served (in the military). One of them got hurt. He was an athlete and was great but his career was over because of his injuries. He is always right here (in my heart).”

Gleason’s story is much different and one of personal sacrifice. After being called up to the Dodgers in September of 1963, he appeared in eight games as a pinch runner and hit a double in his only MLB at bat. And though Gleason was not on the Dodgers 1963 World Series roster, he was presented a World Series ring for his contributions to the team during the stretch run. Unlike other MLB players at that time, Gleason did not receive a military deferment and was the only professional baseball player to be drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to the front lines in the Vietnam War.

Gleason was seriously wounded in combat for which he received a Purple Heart and “Special Congressional Recognition.” Unfortunately, when he was transported to a medical facility in Osaka, Japan and subsequently to Letterman Hospital in San Francisco, his World Series ring somehow got lost. And though Roy worked desperately hard to rehab from his injuries, he never made it back to the big leagues. When the Dodgers learned of his personal sacrifices and his lost ring, a special ceremony was held at Dodger Stadium on September 20, 2003 during which Gleason was presented a replacement 1963 World Series ring by then-Dodger manager Jim Tracy.

Gleason proudly wears his 1963 World Series ring. He retired from baseball with a perfect 1.000 batting average. Gleason’s incredible story of dedication and bravery is detailed in the book Lost in the Sun.

When asked what being involved in an event such as the Veterans Day event means to him, Gleason’s reply did not surprise me in the least.

“It means everything to me. I’m a veteran myself and it’s good to give back to… I call these guys my brothers, they’re my brothers,” said a visibly emotional Gleason. “For the Dodgers to do this and to give back is fantastic. It just shows you what a classy organization they are, and to be out here and participate in it, I’m very happy… just to be here, number one (having survived his serious wounds in Viet Nam); and to do it for our veterans? Any time… any time.”

Gleason added that the on-going recognition and support that the Dodger organization gives to the military is what puts them in a class of their own.

“That’s what separates the Dodgers from other organizations,” said Gleason. “Once you play for the Dodgers you feel like you are family and they treat you like you’re family, that’s what so nice. I’ve been coming out here since I was 18 and I’m 70 now. When I walk on this field I still feel like I’m 18 and I still feel like I’m a member of this organization.”

Army Sergeant and former Dodger Roy Gleason, Al “The Bull” Ferrara and “Sweet” Lou Johnson during the National Anthem.

U.S. Army Lt. Colonel Steven Cole is also appreciative of what the Dodger organization has done and continues to do for current and former members of the military through their ‘Veteran of the Game’ recognition during the third inning of every Dodgers home game.

“It means a lot them and it means a lot to their families who often don’t get the credit that they deserve,” said Colonel Cole. “There are family members out there who, while their service member is deployed, they’re home taking care of kids, holding down a job, paying the bills, so it’s great that they also get recognized as part of this, especially today. The Veteran of the Game is a really special honor. The fans here… everyone stands and claps and it’s a really special moment for not only for the veterans but to tie the veterans back into the community.”

Lt. Colonel Steven Cole and his family enjoying an absolutely gorgeous day at Dodger Stadium.

In addition to allowing the veterans and their families to take batting practice, members of the Pasadena City College baseball team (where Jackie Robinson went to school prior to transferring to UCLA) provided instruction on pitching in the Dodger bullpen and additional batting practice in the indoor batting cages. The veterans and their families were also treated to Dodger Dogs in the Dodgers Dugout Club and each veteran left with a special commemorative T-shirt to remember their day.

What would a day at Dodger Stadium be without a Dodger Dog?

On behalf of the entire staff at ThinkBlueLA, I wish to thank all current and former members of our military and their families for their tremendous sacrifices and dedicated service to our country. God Bless You all.

(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)