The Washington Nationals celebrate U.S. Army Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 16, 2023. The Nationals hosted the Miami Marlins. (Robert Stewart/Stars and Stripes)
WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals celebrated U.S. Army Day on Friday at Nationals Park, featuring pregame ceremonies with a multitude of Army performers.
The U.S. Army Blues Jazz Ensemble played as spectators walked into the center field plaza, leading off for the Army Drill Team and the Golden Knights.
Lt. Gen. John B. Morrison Jr. threw the ceremonial first pitch to Nationals catcher Riley Adams, setting the stage for the Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Chorus to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Standing in front of the Army Color Guard, the ensemble’s performance concluded with a flyover from the 12th Aviation Battalion, The Army Aviation Brigade, in four UH-60 Black Hawks.
Lt. Gen. John B. Morrison Jr., who threw out the ceremonial first pitch, with the Nationals mascot and catcher Riley Adams during U.S. Army Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 16, 2023. The Nationals hosted the Miami Marlins. (Robert Stewart/Stars and Stripes)
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Jeff Mellinger, the last active draftee to serve in the Army, called out “play ball,” marking the beginning of a high-scoring affair between Washington and the Miami Marlins. Both teams scored twice in the first inning alone.
As is tradition at Nationals Park, the crowd gave a standing ovation to service members in attendance between the third and fourth innings.
George Washington, the first commander-in-chief, ran away with the Presidents’ Race as fellow mascots Thomas Jefferson, Abe Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt marched in unison back to the center field doors in the middle of the fourth.
An Army Chorus quartet opened the seventh inning stretch with the singing of “God Bless America” as the two teams were locked in a 5-5 tie.
Pinch hitter Garrett Cooper gave Miami the lead with a two-out single in the eighth, which propelled the Marlins to a 6-5 victory over the Nationals.
Four UH-60 Black Hawks from the 12th Aviation Battalion, The Army Aviation Brigade perform a flyover during U.S. Army Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 16, 2023. The Nationals hosted the Miami Marlins. (Robert Stewart/Stars and Stripes)
The U.S. Army Golden Knights. drop in for U.S. Army Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 16, 2023. The Nationals hosted the Miami Marlins. (Robert Stewart/Stars and Stripes)
The U.S. Army Golden Knights. drop in for U.S. Army Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 16, 2023. The Nationals hosted the Miami Marlins. (Robert Stewart/Stars and Stripes)
The U.S. Army Golden Knights. drop in for U.S. Army Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 16, 2023. The Nationals hosted the Miami Marlins. (Robert Stewart/Stars and Stripes)
The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Chorus performs the national anthem during U.S. Army Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 16, 2023. The Nationals hosted the Miami Marlins. (Robert Stewart/Stars and Stripes)
The U.S. Army Color Guard presents the colors during U.S. Army Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 16, 2023. The Nationals hosted the Miami Marlins. (Robert Stewart/Stars and Stripes)
Maj. Gen. Michele H. Bredenkamp joins coaches and umpires at home plate during U.S. Army Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 16, 2023. The Nationals hosted the Miami Marlins. (Robert Stewart/Stars and Stripes)
Lt. Gen. John B. Morrison Jr. throws out the ceremonial first pitch for U.S. Army Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 16, 2023. The Nationals hosted the Miami Marlins. (Robert Stewart/Stars and Stripes)
Lt. Gen. John B. Morrison Jr. is joined by Nationals mascot Screech after throwing out ceremonial first pitch for U.S. Army Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 16, 2023. The Nationals hosted the Miami Marlins. (Robert Stewart/Stars and Stripes)
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Jeff Mellinger, the last active draftee to serve in the Army, called out “play ball” to start the game between the Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins on U.S. Army Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 16, 2023. (Robert Stewart/Stars and Stripes)
Nationals mascot Screech during U.S. Army Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 16, 2023. The Nationals hosted the Miami Marlins. (Robert Stewart/Stars and Stripes)
The Washington Nationals pay tribute to soldiers past and present on U.S. Army Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 16, 2023. (Robert Stewart/Stars and Stripes)
The Washington Nationals pay tribute to soldiers past and present on U.S. Army Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 16, 2023. The Army celebrated its 248th birthday on June 14, 2023. (Robert Stewart/Stars and Stripes)
The U.S. Army Drill Team performs during U.S. Army Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 16, 2023. The Nationals hosted the Miami Marlins. (Robert Stewart/Stars and Stripes)
The U.S. Army Drill Team prepares to perform during U.S. Army Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 16, 2023. The Nationals hosted the Miami Marlins. (Robert Stewart/Stars and Stripes)
The U.S. Army Blues Jazz Ensemble performs at U.S. Army Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 16, 2023. The Nationals hosted the Miami Marlins. (Robert Stewart/Stars and Stripes)
The U.S. Army Blues Jazz Ensemble performs at U.S. Army Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 16, 2023. The Nationals hosted the Miami Marlins. (Robert Stewart/Stars and Stripes)
The Washington Nationals celebrate U.S. Army Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 16, 2023. The Nationals hosted the Miami Marlins. (Robert Stewart/Stars and Stripes)
