Appreciating Armed Forces Appreciation Day – Lydia Rivera
This past Sunday I was able to be a part of one of my most memorable moments of being a Twintern thus far. I got to help be behind the pregame ceremony on Armed Forces Appreciation Day on Sunday, July 1st. This year was the Twins’ 9th annual Armed Forces Appreciation Day, which honors service members and veterans from all branches of the U.S. military, and this year’s theme was “a salute to women service members and veterans.”
My duty was to meet the platoon being recognized, which consisted of each squad representing each branch of the military. It was great to see so many women service members from each branch in one place and watch them practice marching together before they went onto the field. They were all great to work with and they got marching together down right away despite the different way they may march. Everyone was in their dress uniforms and I felt bad because the heat was blistering hot. However, I think everyone was so excited to be a part of the pregame so it didn’t really bother them. They did great! It was fun to have the view that I did of everything.
Being a service member myself with A Co 834th ASB in the Minnesota Army National Guard, I have never felt so proud to be a woman service member. The ceremony really hit home and I was honored and grateful to be a part of that. I know I speak for many others when I say it is very appreciated to get recognized in that way, especially as a woman service member. The Twins have, and continue to do a wonderful job in making sure members of the military are recognized. Memories of being in the military are the kind you don’t forget, they are the stories that you will always share with the ones around you. I am sure all of the women involved that day will never forget their day at Target Field and I am also sure that being behind the scenes that day is a memory I will remember forever.
