Operation Shoebox New Jersey hosts “A Salute to the Flag” at TD Bank Ballpark on Flag Day, 
June 14th

Fans are invited to join manager Sparky Lyle & the Somerset Patriots  As the team signs a commemorative banner of well wishes to US troops that will be sent overseas

Bridgewater, NJ- Operation Shoebox New Jersey will host “A Salute to the Flag” on Flag Day, Thursday, June 14th at TD Bank Ballpark, home of the Five-Time Atlantic League Champion Somerset Patriots.

Gates open at 6 p.m. The Somerset Patriots will face the York Revolution. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

We're going all out to make this a memorable occasion and a fitting tribute to the red, white & blue.

The walkways leading into the ballpark will be lined by 3,000 American flags; huge American flags will be on display on the concourse and on the field. All fans will be handed a miniature American flag as they enter the ballpark, and there will be a parade of flags around the warning track prior to the game.

The first 1,500 fans will also receive a red, white & blue cinch sack emblazoned with the Patriots and Operation Shoebox New Jersey logo.

Noted historian and author Richard Pierce will be on hand to sign copies of his book, "The Stars & Stripes, Fabric of the American Spirit." All proceeds will be donated to Operation Shoebox New Jersey.

The Somerset Patriot players, led by manager Sparky Lyle, will sign a banner that will be displayed on the concourse for all fans to sign during the game; the banner will be sent to a soldier in Afghanistan inside an Operation Shoebox New Jersey care package; when the soldier returns home with the banner, there will be a special presentation at the stadium later this season or during the 2013 season.

Fans will also have the opportunity to sign up for the “Victory Campaign” sponsored by Operation Shoebox New Jersey and the Somerset Patriots. The program helps to ensure the supply line of care packages to US troops overseas continues uninterrupted.

Operation Shoebox New Jersey volunteers will also host a table on the concourse and offer children the chance to sign hero cards that will be sent overseas; Operation Shoebox New Jersey will also sponsor a 50-50 raffle during the game.

Throughout the game and during pre-game ceremonies, the scoreboard display screen in left field will display photos of US troops overseas received by Operation Shoebox New Jersey along with excerpts from their letters. Several members of the US military will also be on hand to be honored during the pre-game ceremony.

Remember to bring your cameras to record this magnificent red, white and blue tribute.

Fans and volunteers of all ages are also invited to return to the ballpark on Saturday, June 23 to help pack care packages that will be shipped to U.S troops serving in Afghanistan and other overseas locations.

The event will begin at 11:30 am with a brief orientation. Volunteers will then fill care packages with different toiletries, necessities, and food items from bins spread along the main concourse.

All volunteers will be asked to write cards and letters to the troops to include in each package. 

The Patriots have hosted several packings at the ballpark since 2005, when Operation Shoebox New Jersey first began to send personal care packages overseas. The volunteer organization has sent more than 55,000 packages to U.S. troops.

"We are proud of our partnership with the Somerset Patriots, an organization that exemplifies the compassion and patriotism that serve as the foundation of Operation Shoebox New Jersey," said Rod Hirsch, founder and executive director.  "Spending a day at the ballpark is a true American tradition, symbolized by the huge American flag in centerfield, a stirring reminder of the pride and dedication of US military personnel serving overseas."    

Operation Shoebox New Jersey is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation registered in the state of New Jersey; all donations are tax deductible. The office is located in Veterans Industrial Park, Route 206, Hillsborough.