Retired U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jason Ross will be honored as the Military Hero of the Game Sunday when the Los Angeles Dodgers conclude their four-game season-opening series against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium.
Ross joined the Marine Corps in September 2001. After completing his first enlistment, he decided to change his focus to explosive ordnance disposal.
While returning to base on March 7, 2011, during his second deployment to Afghanistan, Ross stepped on a roadside bomb. He lost both legs to amputation and part of his pelvic bone.
Ross was initially treated at Walter Reed National Medical Center before transferring to the Naval Medical Center San Diego. Ross lived life in and out of the hospital for more than three years, undergoing more than 240 surgeries.
Ross lives in Fallbrook in a specially adapted home constructed through the Gary Sinise Foundation’s Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment program.
Ross’ home was built specially adapted to his interests, especially his love for cooking.
Olympic gold-medal winning snowboarder Chloe Kim will throw the ceremonial first pitch and declare, ”It’s time for Dodger baseball.”
The national anthem will be sung by Elliott Yamin, the third-place finisher in the 2006 season of “American Idol.”
The game is set to begin at 5:37 p.m. and will be televised by ESPN.