NEW MADRID - Before the first pitch is thrown, May 6, the City of New Madrid plans to celebrate and dedicate the new Veterans Field complex.
The dedication ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. May 6 along the main walkway leading to the four fields.
A flag raising ceremony will be conducted by members of the American Legion Post in New Madrid, assisted by a Missouri National Guard Unit. The flag will be presented by local veterans representing those who served in World War II, the Korean Conflict, Vietnam and Desert Storm.
Officials are encouraging all local veterans to attend the ceremony.
The "Star Spangled Banner" will be performed, followed by The Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Mark Baker will address those attending including representatives from the families for whom the four ballfields are being named. The fields are named in honor of Jimmy Joe Bloomfield, Robert "Bob" Blom, Sam L. Hunter Jr., and Welton and Louise O'Bannon.
Family representatives will join officials in cutting the ribbon officially opening the park. Also they will participate in a ceremonial first pitch on the fields named in honor of their families.
"I'm personally extremely proud the mayor and the council agree to build this. I know this is something all the citizens will be proud of," said City Administrator Furg Hunter about the complex. "It will be a nice ceremony, then the teams are scheduled to take the fields and play ball!"