Everybody stands during the national anthem at a baseball game.
Almost everyone removes their ballcaps, and most people look down at the field to see who was chosen to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” that day.
Many may notice the uniformed military personnel holding flags, but the focus isn’t really on them. They’re announced prior to the anthem, but for many civilians, the importance of a color guard — as they are called — isn’t fully understood.
But for the soldiers — active, reserve and retired — who get to take part in such a special tradition, it is a lifelong memory.
On May 26 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the Major League team will be hosting Jewish Heritage Night. And the color guard that day will be completely made up of members of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America Post 167, located right here in Baltimore.
But for Dan Berkovitz, adjutant of the Department of Mid-Atlantic and Israel Jewish War Veterans of the USA and commander of the Maryland Free State Post 167 of the Jewish War Veterans of the USA, there is something even more notable happening at the game that night.
“This year, [like last year], there’s going to be another World War II veteran who’s a 2025 Jewish Baltimore Hall of Fame inductee, Ralph Brunn, throwing out the first pitch,” he said. “It bridges the gap between us — those who were in service less recently, and the young, because the first pitch will be from a 101-year-old World War II veteran.”
Berkovitz said the entire group is excited to see Brunn throw toward home plate at the game. The Jewish War Veterans of the USA, the nation’s oldest veterans’ service organization, represents active duty, reserve duty and retired soldiers. All are of a Jewish background, and all want to give back to a proud community of Jewish American soldiers.
“It was started in 1896 as a response to antisemitism in the Civil War,” Berkovitz said. “We carry on that legacy to stand up to bigotry, hate and antisemitism, however it manifests.”
Unfortunately, that mission is necessary even at something as benign as a celebration of Jewish heritage at a ball game. Last year, the Orioles posted a video of Jewish pitcher Dean Kremer welcoming Jewish fans to their special night.
Comments like “Let’s make it the last one,” and a Palestinian flag emoji — among plenty of positive ones, too — can be found on the post.
However, the night will be a fun one, just like last year’s inaugural Jewish Heritage Night, Berkovitz said.
In August, fans piled into Camden Yards with tzitzit flowing and kippot on their heads to root for the O’s. There was a gray and blue hat with a Star of David given to fans who bought a Jewish Heritage Night Ticket, and plenty of folks hankering for a snack from the stadium’s Attman’s Delicatessen stand on the first base side.
Berkovitz is excited for a night at the ballpark, and said that he is proud to represent his heritage and the Jewish War Veterans on such a big stage. The game will be the major draw, with the free Jewish Heritage Night jersey coming in a close second.
But don’t forget about the color guard.
“It’s a symbol of honor. It’s a symbol of patriotism, and it’s kind of a big deal to be part of the color guard. Essentially, when the national anthem is sung, they’re saluting toward the flag. Those who stand pay their respects, they’re all facing toward the flag. So we’re front and center at that moment when the national anthem is being sung. It’s a really, really big deal,” Berkovitz said.
