Dragons Veteran Salute Program, presented by CareSource Military & Veterans, Continues in 2026

DAYTON, OHIO – The Dayton Dragons and CareSource Military & Veterans, a subsidiary of CareSource, are continuing their commitment for the Veteran Salute program, an initiative to honor, recognize, and support Miami Valley veterans at Dayton Dragons home games throughout 2026. This sponsorship is an extension of CareSource's commitment to improve the lives of veterans and their families through innovative programs and partnerships to support their health and well-being.

The Veteran Salute program is open to any military veteran in the Miami Valley. Selected veterans will be recognized at a Dayton Dragons home game during an inning break at Day Air Ballpark in 2026. Each veteran receives VIP treatment during their night including in-game recognition, a luxury suite, food and beverage, a special gift, and more. Since 2019, CareSource and the Dayton Dragons have honored over 30 local veterans and their families with a special experience at the ballpark.

“We are thrilled to once again partner with the Dayton Dragons to honor local veterans, share their stories and express our gratitude for their service,” said Holly Joers, President of CareSource Military & Veterans. "At CareSource, we take great pride in serving our military community and are dedicated to supporting their health and wellness."

In honor of Veterans Day, here are the 2025 Veteran Salute honorees:

Colonel Ovidio Pugnale – Air Force (1955 to 1981): He graduated from Navigator School in top three of his class and went on to serve in various places including Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Puerto Rico, Vietnam, and more. He also completed Air War College, as well as his bachelor’s degree, and master’s degree. He retired as a full Colonel with a Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and Joint Service and Air Force Commendation Medals. He amassed a combined total of over 7000 flying hours as a navigator and pilot throughout his 26-year career.

Lance Corporal Joe Kleiner – Marine Corps (1966-1968): He served in various locations including camp Lejeune with the 8th Marines and a deployment to Vietnam. There he walked point for his infantry unit as the lead soldier advancing his group through hostile and unsecured territory. Throughout his career, he was injured twice and was a part of two human waves in which one of those he lost 60 percent of his battalion and came in contact with napalm.

Staff Sergeant Dan Shroyer – Marine Corps, OH National Guard, and Army Reserve (1955 to 1996): He began in the Marine Corps Reserve serving in Okinawa and Camp Lejeune as a Radio Telegraph Operator. In 1978, he re-enlisted with the Ohio Air National Guard and was promoted to Staff Sergeant. He joined the Army Reserve in 1987, serving as a truck driver and retention NCO. During the Gulf War, at age 52, he was one of the oldest reservists deployed, delivering fuel to troops in Kuwait. He retired in 1996, earning numerous awards, including the Marine of the Year Medal.

Sergeant Matthew Graves – Marine Corps and Army (2003-2014): He completed various training schools focusing on telecommunications and serving as a Tactical Switching Operator. He also completed a deployment to Iraq where his platoon experienced frequent attacks and several IED incidents. In 2008, Graves enlisted in the Army serving in field artillery and air defense artillery. He retired from the Army in 2014 at the rank of Sergeant with multiple commendations including the Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon and a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in combat.

Major Christina Helferich-Polosky – Army (1998-2009): Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Transportation Corps, she served in leadership roles before deploying to Iraq as an Operations Officer and Night Battle Captain, where she was exposed to toxic burn pits. She later deployed to Afghanistan, where she was injured and medically evacuated. In 2009 she medically retired, receiving multiple honors throughout her career including the Bronze Star and was named Transportation Officer of the Year.

“The Dragons are thrilled to continue partnering with CareSource Military & Veterans with the Veteran Salute program,” said Robert Murphy, President of the Dayton Dragons. “Each season gives us a new opportunity to recognize local veterans, share their remarkable journeys, and bring their stories to life at Day Air Ballpark.”

Nominations for the Veteran Salute program are open to the public. Any living military veteran from the Miami Valley is eligible to be nominated. To nominate a veteran, go to www.daytondragons.com/veteransalute

About CareSource

*CareSource is a nonprofit, nationally recognized managed care organization with over 2 million members. CareSource administers one of the largest Medicaid managed care plans in the U.S. The organization offers health insurance, including Medicaid, Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicare products. As a mission-driven organization, CareSource is transforming health care with innovative programs that address the social drivers of health, health equity, prevention and access to care. *

For more information, visit us at *[www.caresource.com](https://www.caresource.com/), or follow us on [X, formerly known as Twitter](https://twitter.com/caresource),* LinkedIn or Facebook*. *