TAPP and San Diego Padres to Honor Two Marines Wounded in Combat Operations.

Aug. 27, 2010 - PRLog -- Two combat wounded Veterans of the United States Marine Corps will be honored with the American Patriot Award during a pregame ceremony at a San Diego Padres baseball game on August 29th.

As part of the honor event, the San Diego Padres have invited American Patriot Award recipients; USMC Gunnery Sgt Blaine Scott and (Ret) USMC Sergeant Richard Gonzales- to throw out a ceremonial first pitch and be recognized with an on-field presentation the American Patriot award honor bat.

The ceremony will take place during 'Military Appreciation Day" before an August 29th San Diego Padres major league baseball game.

The American Patriot Award will be presented during on-field ceremony by Our Fallen Soldier President Jack Colnot and Co-Founder Kelly Luisi.

"We are very humbled to host an American Patriot Program Honor Event with the San Diego Padres", said Kelly Luisi.  Luisi, her father Jack, and members of the Colnot family created the organization 'Our Fallen Soldier' in 2006 as a special way to preserve the legacy of a family member- United States Army Sgt. Kyle Colnot.  Sgt. Colnot was killed just outside of Baghdad while serving with the United States Army's 25th Infantry Division in 2006.

Kelly Luisi is anchoring Our Fallen Soldier's new program, 'Our Heroes Journey'.  As part of the program Our Fallen Soldier volunteers time out at Wounded Warrior Battalion West at Camp Pendleton.  Luisi was touched by the story of retired Marine Sgt. Richard Gonzales and nominated the former 3/1 Marine for the national level award.

TAPP team member Trinity Bat Company's Jeff McKee mentioned the need to honor those who help preserve our freedom.  McKee stated, "We honestly feel that being part of this effort to honor combat wounded Veterans like Blaine Scott and Richard Gonzales is our duty."

Operation Military Embrace President Jerry Reed, who nominated United States Marine Corps combat wounded Gunnery Sgt. Blaine Scott, commented, "A "Tip of the Cover" to Marines Sgt. Richard Gonzales and Gunnery Sergent Blaine Scott for their steadfast, loyal service to America and her ideals and for being nominated and selected for the coveted American Patriot Award" Reed continued,  "It is Marines like these that prompted President Ronald Reagan to say: "Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference."

The event caps off a month in which five combat wounded Veterans were honored with the American Patriot Award.  Retired Arkansas National Guardsmen Sergeant First Class Alan Hornaday was honored on August 14th at a minor league baseball game in Little Rock, Arkansas.

American Patriot award recipients USMC Sgt. Gonzales (Ret) and USMC Gunnery Sgt Blaine Scott also join fellow combat wounded Marines; Ohio Ret USMC Corporal's Aaron M. Miller and Craig C.B. Miller on an unprecedented day in the history of TAPP in which four American Patriot Awards will alone be presented on August 29th.

Operation Military Embrace President Reed nominated Gunnery Sgt. Blaine Scott due to severe injuries that Scott suffered while serving in Iraq.  Following an IED explosion in 2006 in Iraq, Scott suffered burns to his head, face, arms and legs along with a severely broken ankle and foot.

Our Fallen Soldier's Kelly Luisi nominated (Ret) Sgt. Richard Gonzales.  Sgt. Gonzales was one of the trapped 3/1 Marines in the now storied "Hell House" and received gunshot wounds in 2004 during the second push into Fallujah.

There will also be an awards presentation for Scott and Gonzales and their families during an awards presentation at Petco Park before the on-field ceremony.  Custom Honors will be presenting two 'American Patriot' art tributes to Gunnery Sgt. Scott and Sgt. Gonzales to further commemorate the national level honor during this presentation.  

Patty Deschaine, Co-owner of Custom Honors, expressed her ambition to honor these two combat wounded Marines.  Deshaine stated, "While we sit in comfort they step up to the plate and hit homerun after homerun on our behalf.  Sometimes they are injured while doing that for us and these art tributes hopefully communicate how much we appreciate their sacrifices."

Patriot Pleasantries were provided graciously by San Diego's; 35th Street Subway and Sammy's Woodfired Pizza.  Amarillo's Donna Hogue also provided two special USMC customized fleece throws.  Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Don Ballard served once again served as TAPP's representative for the Patriot League of CMH recipients.

To purchase tickets for the August 29th San Diego Padres game please contact the Padres ticket office at 619-795-5000 or visit www.padres.com.  Visit www.tapp.kk5.org for additional program details.

Resources
http://www.ourfallensoldier.com/
http://www.operationmilitaryembrace.com/
http://www.customhonors.com/
http://www.sammyspizza.com/
http://www.snapfinger.com/Menus/Subway/Front.aspx?SiteID=1625
http://www.pendleton.usmc.mil/

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The American Patriot Program is comprised of a group of nine volunteer organizations joined through America's Favorite National Pastime and the great sport of American ice hockey to honor combat wounded American Veterans.