The Yankees have released a press release to announce that they will be honoring Purple Heart Recipient Megan Leavey in an on-field pregame ceremony tomorrow. This was also announced during the Yankees televised game on YES.
If you have tickets to tomorrows game, then the Yankees are asking you to be in your seats early for this ceremony.
Press Release:
The New York Yankees announced today that they will honor former Marine Cpl. and Purple Heart recipient Megan Leavey in an on-field pregame ceremony on Sunday at 12:30 p.m., prior to the Yankees’ 1:05 p.m. game vs. Seattle. Additionally, the Yankees will recognize Sgt. Rex, the bomb-sniffing German shepherd who was her combat partner during two tours of duty in Iraq. Both will be on hand for Sunday’s ceremony.
In 2006, following over 100 missions with each other, Leavey and Rex were both injured by a roadside bomb in Ramadi, Iraq. Together they underwent a year of rehabilitation at Camp Pendleton in California before Rex was called back into active service and Leavey was honorably discharged due to her injuries.
Despite the time and distance that separated them for four years, the bond between the two remained strong. When it was deemed appropriate for Rex to be retired from his service, Leavey pursued his adoption, which culminated in their reunion this April.
A Marine Corps Honor Guard and the New York Police Department Pipes and Drums band will be on hand to honor Leavey. Outfielder Nick Swisher will present the former Marine with a jersey signed by the entire Yankees team, and Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, along with Yankees President Randy Levine, will take part in a series of presentations to celebrate Leavey’s dedicated service to her country and the love and loyalty she has shown to her combat partner, Rex.
