Tommy Lasorda, a Hall of Fame manager and special advisor to Chairman Frank McCourt, has announced that he is offering free tickets at Dodger Stadium to all military members during the month of May. Lasorda, who is an Army veteran, wishes to salute members of the armed forces and thank them for their service to the United States of America.
All members of the joint services with a valid military ID, including active, reserve and retired veterans as well as their dependents, may take advantage of this offer by showing their military ID at any Dodger Stadium ticket booth the day of a game. Each military ID will be good for two complimentary tickets, based on availability. More details are available at dodgers.com/military.
The Dodgers honor a “Veteran of the Game” at every home game by treating them to field-level tickets and a batting practice experience and recognizing them on the field during pre-game ceremonies. This season’s honorees so far have included a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, a Navy Seabee combat war specialist, a military police officer serving in the “Honor Guard” protecting the President of the United States and a third-generation combat veteran who is currently in his 17th year of military service and who recently returned from Iraq.Â
For the last 12 years, the Dodgers have donated 10 season tickets to a group of military veterans called the California Paralyzed Veterans Association that is based in Long Beach and serves the community of paralyzed veterans by assuring that they have a lifestyle similar to that of an average American citizen.
Lasorda has visited more than 40 military bases around the world, including a five-country goodwill tour in 2009 with Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, through the Middle East. General Kevin Chilton, Commander, US Strategic Command, threw out the ceremonial first pitch as a part of Lasorda’s birthday celebration last season and Admiral Mullen threw out a ceremonial first pitch in 2009 and enjoyed the game as Lasorda’s guest.
