News
July 23, 2019NYRA to honor service members and veterans during Military Appreciation Day at Saratoga Race Course
WHAT: The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will pay tribute to the nation’s service members and veterans during Military Appreciation Day at Saratoga Race Course. The day will feature free grandstand admission for all United States military service members and veterans with valid military ID or proof of military service.
NYRA will welcome local service members and veterans to the winner’s circle before numerous races on the day’s card. The service members will represent the sacrifices of those who have defended the United States from World War II through the present era.
This year’s event will highlight the legacy of the late Saratoga Springs Mayor Ellsworth Jones, a veteran of the D-Day invasion, which took place 75 years ago this past June.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 24
Gates open at 11 a.m.
WHERE: Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Springs, New York
DETAILS:
11:30 a.m. NYRA will pay tribute to its own service members and veteran employees with a special ceremony in the winner’s circle during the National Anthem, which will be performed by the local acapella group Racing City Chorus. The National Anthem will be accompanied by a Presentation of Colors from cadets of the United States Military Academy at West Point.
1:35 p.m. NYRA will recognize the legacy of former Saratoga Springs Mayor Ellsworth Jones, who was among the first U.S. paratroopers to drop into France during the early hours of the D-Day invasion. Ellsworth’s son, Saratoga Springs resident Matthew J. Jones, will be joined by a pair of World War II veterans to ring the bell in the winner’s circle prior to the third race.
2 p.m. Several generations of veterans and service members will gather in the winner’s circle for the day’s third race named in honor of Military Appreciation Day.
2:05 p.m. The Racing City Chorus will entertain guests on the track apron following the day’s third race.
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. A number of military-related organizations will be represented at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion throughout the afternoon, including the Albany Vet Center; Disabled American Veterans; Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs; New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs; Patriot Flight; Patriot Guard Riders; Stars for our Troops; Stephen Siller Foundation; STRIDE Adaptive Sports; Veterans Community Housing Coalition; and VFW Post 420.
For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.
