Dragons to Recognize "Hometown Heroes" Honoree During Game on April 22

Dayton, Ohio — The Dayton Dragons will recognize the Miami Valley Young Marines as a “Hometown Heroes” honoree during a special inning break of the Dragons game on Friday, April 22 against the West Michigan Whitecaps at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. The game will start at 7:05p.m.

The Dayton Dragons shine the spotlight on the military, past and present, through the Hometown Heroes program. This program hosts military families at every Dragons game, recognizing outstanding military organizations and individuals.

Young Marines is a national non-profit education and service program for boys and girls, ages eight through high school. The organization promotes mental, moral, and physical development of its members, upholding the Marine Corps’ core values, as well as the Young Marines’ core values of leadership, discipline, and teamwork.

The Miami Valley unit participates year-round in community projects and events that focus on character building and leadership. Their mission is to nurture and develop its members into responsible citizens who enjoy and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

One of their major initiatives is called “Drill Heroes,” a drill competition held to raise money to complete the Miami Valley Veterans Museum. With multiple age-based competitions, this event brings friends, families, co-workers, and other members of the community together to compete in the largest knockout drill competition ever assembled.

Furthermore, the unit has partnered with Wreaths Across America to lay remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country’s heroes at the Dayton Memorial Park Cemetery. This local unit has also been awarded the Fulcrum Shield Award for excellence in youth anti-drug programs from the Department of Defense twice – a distinction that no other unit has achieved.

The Miami Valley Marines are always looking for new members, volunteers, education opportunities, and donations. For more information about the Miami Valley Young Marines and how you can support their mission, visit miamivalleyyoungmarines.com.

This is the first of five special Hometown Heroes events at Dragons games this season. Additional tributes are scheduled for May 17, June 12, July 4, and August 13. The Dayton Dragons Hometown Heroes program is made possible by the generous support of the Dayton Development Coalition, Reynolds & Reynolds, and the Dayton Dragons. For more information, please visit daytondragons.com/hometownheroes.