The Washington Nationals and PenFed Credit Union are raising the bar for military appreciation at sporting events after the nation’s second largest credit union signed a three-year sponsorship deal with the Nats.
As part of the agreement, Nationals Park has launched a program called “Tickets for Troops,” which will designate a select number of complimentary tickets to all home games — in a seating section aptly named the “PenFed Military Appreciation Section” — for active and reserve military personnel, veterans and DoD civilians.
“PenFed has been supporting the national military community and the greater Washington community for 83 years,” James Schenck, president and CEO of PenFed said in a release announcing the partnership. “The Washington Nationals have played an integral role in these communities for 13 years. Now we are stepping up to the plate together.”
As part of the partnership, PenFed will sponsor the stadium’s family-friendly Kids’ Fun Zone, and will be giving away promotional items to those seated in the designated section.
“Expanding our partnership with PenFed makes perfect sense given our shared commitment to both honoring members of the military and their families and serving the greater Washington, D.C. community,” Alan H. Gottlieb, chief operating officer of Lerner Sports said in the release. “The Washington Nationals strive to provide the best fan experience in sports and the enhanced kids play area and military ticket program announced today will both significantly add to our ballpark’s exciting game day atmosphere.”
“This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ for all that these brave men and women do, and have done, to protect our freedoms as Americans,” Schenck said.
Tickets to games can be claimed online and picked up in person on game day with a valid military ID or proof of service.
Jon Simkins is the executive editor for Military Times and Defense News, and a Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War.
