Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
GRILLED FOOD AND TAILGATERS LINED THE PARKING LOT JUST BEFORE THE SAN DIEGO CHARGER'S PRESEASON
OPENER AGAINST THE GREEN BAY PACKERS. BUT THIS GAME FEATURED SOME GUESTS, WHO USUALLY
SPEND THEIR TIME MARCHING … ON A DIFFERENT KIND OF FIELD. THURSDAY WAS THE 24TH ANNUAL
MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY AT QUALCOMM STADIUM, SO THE CHARGERS INVITED SAILORS AND MARINES
TO WATCH THE GAME AND TAKE PART IN THE FIELD CEREMONIES.
"I KNOW WE HAVE SEVERAL OTHER SINGERS OUT THERE IN THE MILITARY BUT IT FELT SO GOOD
TO BE REQUESTED TO SING HERE. IT WAS A HUGE HONOR."
MANY SERVICE MEMBERS HAD THEIR CHANCE FOR A MOMENT IN THE SPOTLIGHT.
"WE'VE ACTUALLY WORKED WITH THESE MARINES BEFORE, AND THEY'RE ACTUALLY GREAT, REALLY
GREAT PEOPLE. AND WE PRACTICED WITH THEM, WITH THE US SAN DIEGO PRECOMISSIONING AND
THEY HELPED US OUT A LOT, AND WE REALLY ENJOY DOING THESE CEREMONIES WITH THEM"
SERVICE MEMBERS ALSO SET UP STANDS TO INTERACT WITH CURIOUS VISITORS.
"WE'RE OUT HERE BECAUSE WE WANT THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO KNOW WHAT IT IS WE DO ON A DAILY
BASIS. WE WANT THEM TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THEIR MILITARY, AND WE'RE ALSO HERE TO ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS THEY MAY HAVE ABOUT THE MILITARY."
"THE TOWN APPRECIATES IT SO I'M REALLY GLAD THE CHARGERS, AND ALSO THE PADRES, TAKE CARE
OF THEIR MILITARY."
BUT IT WASN'T JUST THE FANS WHO MENTIONED THEIR SUPPORT FOR THOSE WHO SERVE.
"AND THEY SHOULD KNOW WE'RE THEIR BIGGEST FANS."
FROM SAN DIEGO, I'M PETTY OFFICER ARMANDO GONZALES