The annual recognition of the POW-MIA chair in section 118 will be part of this year’s Reno Aces Military Appreciation Night, which is Friday night.
Photo by Steve Ranson.
The Reno Aces and the surrounding community will be standing tall Friday night as the ball club salutes the men and women who have or are serving their country in one of the military services.
Military Appreciation Night at Greater Nevada Field not only pays tributes to the armed forces but also reflects on prisoners of war or individuals missing in action. The Vietnam Veterans of American, Sierra Nevada Chapter 989 in Reno and the Aces dedicated the POW-MIA (Prisoner of War-Missing in Action) chair in 2019 which has a view of the field from the visitor-side of the field at section 118.
Eric Edelstein, president of the Reno Aces, said he always looks forward to the annual Military Appreciation Night.
“The Nevada National Guard will do the color guard, we’ll have a video to share and the players will be wearing themed jerseys that fans will be able to purchase in a silent auction,” Edelstein said.
Edelstein said military and veterans’ groups will have information tables set up in the concourse area. He said many fans and military groups circle the date on their calendar each year to attend the appreciation night. As fans arrive at the ballpark, Edelstein said they’ll also see static displays position near the main entrance.
“It’s something people circle their calendars,” he said. “Every year we partner with so many agencies and (military) branches. It always makes sense to work together to highlight the work they’re doing.”
J.R. Stafford, outgoing president of Sierra Nevada Chapter 989 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, first approached the Aces in 2019 with the idea to dedicate a POW-MIA chair that will remain unoccupied. The first veteran honored was the late U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. William “Bill” Elander of Sparks, a U.S. Air Force military pilot and also as a POW during the last year of the Vietnam War in the early 1970s.
Elander was considered by his peers to be the “best of the best.”
From 1969 to 1972 Elander flew for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron. After he spent almost three years with the Thunderbirds, his career took him to the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand in March 1972 where he flew combat missions over North Vietnam as a F-4E Phantom pilot.
On Elander’s 65th mission in 1972, the North Vietnamese shot down his plane and captured him after he had ejected. After spending 267 days in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” prison camp, he was released during Operation Homecoming on March 29, 1973.
Elander died in 2020.
Stafford said the stepbrother of a veteran missing in action in Vietnam will participate in the annual re-dedication of the chair before the home half of the second inning begins. Incoming VVA 989 president Tom Carson will oversee the presentation.
Prior to the opening pitch, the different military services will administer the oath of enlistment to the men and women representing the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy and Marines as well as the Nevada Air and Army National Guard.
Although the Military Appreciation Night occurs once a year, Edelstein enjoys the crowd reaction for the salute-to-service moment when veterans are asked to stand to be recognized.
“I think it’s one of the cooler things that happens throughout the game because not only do the fans stand and applaud, but usually everybody on the field also stops and applauds and joins the players, coaches and umpires,” he said.
Edelstein said the salute-to-service occurs at every home game.
“It’s really for everybody,” he said. ““It’s a very important element to honor those who served and those who serve.”