The Los Angeles Dodgers will conduct Military Appreciation Night Tuesday, including honoring the veteran who created Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.
Jose G. Ramos was a U.S. Army combat medic from 1965-68, including serving in Vietnam in 1968.
Ramos began his effort for a special day honoring Vietnam veterans in 2000, including standing on street corners, asking people to sign petitions and bicycling from Whittier to Washington, D.C., to raise awareness and urge lawmakers to honor Vietnam Veterans.
The House and Senate passed a resolution in 2006 proclaiming March 30 — the day the final U.S. combat troops left Vietnam in 1973 — as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.
Then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill in 2009 annually making March 30 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.
Ramos will throw the ceremonial first pitch before the game against the Cincinnati Reds and be honored as the Military Hero of the Game.
The Dodgers will play host to USC’s School of Social Work, which recently began a new scholarship effort for veterans. Salute 4Vets provides education at no cost to veterans who pursue a master’s degree in social work with a military social work option, helping returning service members and their families cope with challenges they face when transitioning back to civilian life.
More than 30 veterans from the program will wear their caps and gowns for an on-field acknowledgement.
A video will be shown on DodgerVision of U.S. Army soldiers with Bravo Company 640th Aviation Safety Battalion of Los Alamitos who are stationed in Camp Buehring, Kuwait.
The Dodgers will also host a joint enlistment ceremony for incoming U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy servicemen and women.
U.S. Army Spc. Maurice Alpharicio will perform the national anthem.