U.S.
Military caregivers recognized by Washington Nationals on Independence Day
Stars and Stripes
July 5, 2018
Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox scores what would prove to be the winning run on a sacrifice fly as the ball gets away from Washington Nationals catcher Pedro Severino in the seventh inning of a game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., July 4, 2018. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox scores what would prove to be the winning run on a sacrifice fly as the ball gets away from Washington Nationals catcher Pedro Severino in the seventh inning of a game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., July 4, 2018. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Boston Red Sox lefthander Eduardo Rodriguez fires a pitch to a Washington Nationals hitter on the way to his 10th win of the season, July 4, 2018 at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals wears some patriotic attire for an Independence Day game against the Boston Red Sox at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., July 4, 2018. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Boston Red Sox baserunner Rafael Devers reacts after being picked off first base in the second inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., July 4, 2018. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Trea Turner of the Washington Nationals connects for a first-inning single against the Boston Red Sox at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., July 4, 2018. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Former Sen. Elizabeth Dole, the founder of an organization that supports military caregivers, poses with servicemembers before a game between the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox in Washington, D.C., July 4, 2018. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
The U.S. Marine Corps color guard from Marine Barracks Washington leaves the field after the singing of the national anthem before a game between the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox in Washington, D.C., July 4, 2018. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Members of the cast of "Hamilton" leave the field after singing the national anthem before a game between the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox in Washington, D.C., July 4, 2018. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez, right, and his players and coaches stand for the national anthem before a game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., July 4, 2018. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, right, and his players and coaches stand for the national anthem before a game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., July 4, 2018. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Military caregiver Megan Smith throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox in Washington, D.C., July 4, 2018. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Former Sen. Elizabeth Dole hands a baseball to military caregiver Megan Smith for the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox in Washington, D.C., July 4, 2018. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Former Sen. Elizabeth Dole, the head of a foundation that supports military caregivers, poses with Washington Nationals catcher Matt Wieters before a game between the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox in Washington, D.C., July 4, 2018. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Military caregiver and 2017 Dole Caregiver Fellow Megan Smith and her husband, Army Lt. Col. Matt Smith, pose for a photo before a game between the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox in Washington, D.C., July 4, 2018. Megan Smith threw out the ceremonial first pitch. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
Servicemembers applaud as Bryce Harper and his Washington Nationals teammates take the field for their game against the Boston Red Sox at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., July 4, 2018. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)
WASHINGTON — The nation's military caregivers were in the spotlight Wednesday as the Washington Nationals marked Independence Day with military-themed pre-game ceremonies.
Throwing out the ceremonial first pitch was Megan Smith, one of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's Caregiver Fellows. After Smith's husband, then-Army Major Matt Smith, lost a leg in an insider attack in Afghanistan in 2013 and was sent to Walter Reed for treatment, "my first priority was to establish a normal routine for my family and to support my husband’s recovery," she said in a foundation biography. "We enrolled our two sons in school, became active in our church and purchased a home in the nearby community. After nine short months, Matt returned to active duty in the Army."
Former Sen. Elizabeth Dole, who founded the organization in 2012, also took part in Wednesday's ceremonies. Dole, who also served as Secretary of Labor, Secretary of Transportation and president of the American Red Cross during her career, has firsthand knowledge of the work done by the nation's 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers. She is the wife of former Sen. Bob Dole, who was seriously wounded during World War II.
In the game, lefthander Eduardo Rodriguez won his 10th game of the season as the Red Sox broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the seventh inning on the way to a 3-0 victory and a sweep of the three-game series.