U.S. Army to celebrate birthday at DBAP with Bulls game

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U.S. Army to celebrate birthday at DBAP with Bulls game

A view from center field of DBAP during opening night of Durham Bulls baseball season. (Photo by Thomas Babb)

Jun 8, 2011

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Durham, N.C. — The Durham Bulls in conjunction with the 82nd Airborne will celebrate the 236th birthday of the United States Army at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Tuesday, June 14 at the Bulls game against the Norfolk Tides at 7:05 p.m.

Major Jason Brown from the 82nd Airborne’s Public Affairs office determined the Bulls game to be an ideal fit for the celebration when he began planning earlier this year.

“We wanted to celebrate the birthday of America’s Finest Institution with America’s Favorite Pastime,” Major Brown said, “We’re looking forward to a great night and a fantastic celebration.”

Beginning at around 5:30 p.m., fans will have the opportunity to explore high tech army equipment positioned on Blackwell St. in front of the team’s box office. Items on display will include:

An un-manned Arial Vehicle (Shadow) – The Shadow will be set up on a launcher and fans can look through the camera and see what soldiers see when they are flying it.
A 105 MM Howitzer
An Armored Humvee with a guided missile launcher (TOW) that fans will be able to climb in and look through the sites.
A Front Line Ambulance that fans can climb in and check out the medical training equipment
A fully-armed Infantry squad complete with body armor, night vision and real military weaponry. Fans will be able to try on all the equipment.

During the game, fans will have the opportunity to recognize all active and retired military during a special between-inning ceremony followed by the singing of 'Happy Birthday'. Then, during the 7th Inning Stretch, the All-American Chorus from Ft. Bragg will perform God Bless America.

“We are honored that our friends at Ft. Bragg selected us for this event,” Bulls general manager Mike Birling said, “This will be a wonderful night to celebrate with our heroes.”

Active military wishing to attend the game may come for free courtesy of SofSole by showing their active military ID at the box office. Any fan can take advantage of a “Two Tickets for $9” deal courtesy of Whole Foods Market that night at well.

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RE: U.S. Army to celebrate birthday at DBAP with Bulls game

Awesome!!! I'll seriously try to be in attendance, with kids in tow.

One thing that has really rubbed me raw.... In the first month or two of the baseball season AFTER 9/11, easily 80% or more of the fans properly saluted the flag during the National Anthem. Prior to that, and a few months after the beginning of the season, MAYBE 25% saluted the flag. Its a disgrace to our country. I would bet that ANY other country normally gets a higher percentage of their citizens to properly show attention to their National Anthem and Flag. We are known as the Melting Pot country. But that's NO REASON not to show TOTAL RESPECT for the country that gives you such a GREAT LIFE! I would understand a little more if most people that didn't comply were born in other countries. But the BULK of the non-compliers are born and raised Anglo-saxon Americans. This is a TOTAL disgrace to America. If you call yourself an American, there should be NO EXCUSE for NOT saluting the Flag. I have two boys. I didn't give ANY wiggle room on this subject. I am proud to say that regardless of whether I'm with them or not, they salute the flag. I'm VERY proud of that. Because I'm VERY proud of what my past family, and other families, have done to guarantee my lifestyle with their LIVES! That's right, its a life and death 'thang'. Stop and think about that SERIOUSLY for a while. Ever done that? For most of you, I doubt it.

I'm begging ALL Durham Bulls fans.... if you don't plan on saluting the flag on this Tuesday, please don't come. This should be a special night and those that don't respect it shouldn't show up. You are less than pond scum in my book. Seriously though, stop for 10 minutes and think about the REAL numbers of deaths it took to GUARANTEE you and I get to live such a great, free life in such a GREAT, and free country. Seriously, just think for 10 minutes. Then come out Tuesday and show your HONEST respect.... respectfully.