Here Come The Ravens!
Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders, Baltimore’s Marching Ravens pep band and front office staff will make stops throughout Annapolis, Md., on Friday (Aug. 4) to gear up for the team’s upcoming free and open stadium practice at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Saturday, Aug. 5).
Purple Friday Caravan – Friday, Aug. 4
On Friday, fans are encouraged to wear their Ravens purple and visit various Annapolis locations along the route (detailed below). Each spot will have giveaways, photo opportunities and autographs with Ravens Cheerleaders and mascot Poe, as well as performances by the Marching Ravens.
10 a.m………… Pep Rally for Annapolis children’s camps at the “Pip” Moyer Recreation Center
(closed to general public; media members are allowed)
11 a.m………… Annapolis City Dock
12 p.m………… Wiseman Park (West St. & Calvert St.)
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Practice – Saturday, Aug. 5
Practice, which begins at 6 p.m. (gates open for fans at 5 p.m.), is open to all fans and features the Ravens’ annual Military Appreciation Day, when special seating will be reserved for active service members and veterans who present valid military identification upon check-in at the stadium.
Immediate family members of the servicemen and servicewomen are also welcome to join, with all preferred seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, those who show a valid military I.D. will be given a special Ravens-themed gift.
Fans can enjoy fun activities throughout the day, with appearances by Ravens alumni S Ed Reed, WR Jermaine Lewis and FB Vonta Leach and Baltimore Colts legend RB Tom Matte.
Though not required, members of the Armed Forces are encouraged to attend in uniform. Members should enter Gate A, B, C or D and check-in at the Superintendent’s Tent on the Blue Side of the stadium.
This marks the Ravens’ 10th annual Military Appreciation Day, an event head coach John Harbaugh instituted during his first season with the team in 2008. Harbaugh has been an advocate of the U.S. Military, with the NFL awarding him its 2013 Salute to Service Award, acknowledging exceptional efforts by those in the league who honor and support military members. (Harbaugh was also a finalist for the award in 2011.) In 2012, Army Chief of Staff General Raymond Odierno presented him with the Outstanding Civilian Service Award. Harbaugh took part in the annual NFL-USO coaches’ tour of the Middle East in 2009, has visited numerous military bases in the U.S. and abroad (including a 2014 February trip to the Middle East), has purchased school supplies for children whose parents are serving in the military and has sent care packages to troops overseas.
Since the establishment of Military Appreciation Day, an estimated 12,000 service members have enjoyed preferred seating and opportunities to meet with players and coaches each summer. Once the season begins, Harbaugh then invites wounded warriors to be his guests at every Ravens home game. A self-proclaimed history buff, during offseason team activities, Harbaugh has also taken the Ravens to Gettysburg, Pa., to learn about the Civil War.
For more information on Military Appreciation Day and the Ravens Training Camp Stadium Series, presented by Verizon, visit BaltimoreRavens.com/TrainingCamp.
