On Sunday, FOX Sports South will partner with the Atlanta Braves to honor more than 150 members of our nation’s military, many of whom will soon deploy to global military posts, with a Tribute to the Troops celebration at Turner Field.
A special military themed Sunday Braves on FOX Sports South telecast, beginning at 1 p.m. ET with Braves LIVE, will include highlights from all of the day’s Tribute to the Troops events and messages from Braves fans stationed at military bases around the world.
"This is a day to honor the brave men and women serving in all branches of our armed forces, and their families and loved ones who sacrifice so much, so that we may enjoy the wonderful freedoms and life we are so fortunate to have in the United States of America,” said Jeff Genthner, senior vice president and general manager of FOX Sports South and SportSouth. "On behalf of everyone at FOX Sports, we urge everyone across Braves Country to come to Turner Field on Sunday, July 1 and join us in showing our true appreciation to these national heroes.''
The troops will receive a heroes' welcome on the red carpet leading from Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard. through the Turner Field main gates, when they arrive at Turner Field at 11:45 a.m., cheered on by fans, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, the Braves Tomahawk Team and the Heavy Hitters Drumline.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early and line the red carpet starting at 11:30 a.m. to give the troops a rousing welcome they will never forget.
At a pregame hospitality reception, the troops will be welcomed by Genthner, Braves team members and General Manager Frank Wren.
Ceremonies honoring the troops on the field will include messages from Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed as the service men and women line the base paths for a pregame salute from the teams and the fans.
Fans at the game and watching from home can take part by tweeting their messages of support and gratitude for the troops to @FoxSportsSouth with the hashtag #FSTribute. All messages will be shared with the troops in attendance and select messages will be highlighted on FOX Sports South's game telecast.
Tribute to the Troops Schedule of Events:
11:45 a.m.: Heroes Welcome on the Red Carpet – From Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard through the Turner Field main gates. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and line the red carpet starting at 11:30 a.m. to give the troops a rousing welcome they will never forget.
Noon: Pregame hospitality reception at the Right Field Patio, aisle 128
1 p.m.: Braves LIVE pregame show featuring Major General Jim Butterworth from the Georgia National Guard and Major Mark Brown of the Atlanta Personnel Assistance Point’s Rest and Recuperation Program.
1:20 p.m.: Pregame on field ceremony, featuring messages from Governor Nathan Deal and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, and service men and women lining the base paths for a special tribute
1:30 p.m.: Braves vs. Nationals on FOX Sports South - The military-themed game telecast will include messages from Braves fans stationed at military bases around the world, highlights from the troops’ heroes welcome as they arrived at Turner Field, the pregame hospitality event and on field ceremonies, and #FSTribute tweets sent in by fans with their messages of appreciation and love for the troops.
Additional coverage of the Tribute to the Troops including articles, videos and photos will be made available at FOXSportsSouth.com beginning Sunday.
To make a donation to the Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation, which provides emergency relief assistance to members and families of the Georgia National Guard, please visit www.georgiaguardfamily.org. To make a donation to the USO of Georgia, please visit www.usogeorgia.org.
