South Gate Veteran To Take Part in Dodgers Memorial Day Ceremony

The Los Angeles Dodgers will honor the military during ceremonies before their 5:10 p.m. game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium on Monday.

Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Mejia will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. He served two deployments in Iraq and one in Afghanistan and has

returned to full duty as a platoon sergeant after stepping on an improvised explosive device in combat operations and spending seven months in a hospital.

The national anthem and ``God Bless America'' will be performed by Air Force Reserve Staff Sgt. DeJon Fruga from March Air Reserve Base.

Army Sgt. Luis Garcia of Orange will be honored as the Veteran of the Game. Garcia enlisted in 2005 and served two tours in Iraq. His honors include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.

Marine Corps Cpl. Ernest Aleman of South Gate, Lance Cpl. Nathaniel Boldt and Sgt. Christopher Johnson of the Marine Crops Air Ground Center in Twentynine Palms will make the ``It's time for Dodger baseball'' announcement.

Like all major league teams on Memorial Day, the Dodgers will wear Stars & Stripes caps, with a digital camouflage applique filling the logo on the front of the cap.

The cap is available for purchase on Major League Baseball's website, MLB.com. All net proceeds will be donated to Welcome Back Veterans, a program that addresses the needs of returning American veterans and their families.

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