April 7, 2014, WASHINGTON (NNS) – Washington’s major league baseball team honored the victims and those affected by the Navy Yard shooting with a plaque dedication ceremony April 4.
The Nationals worked with Naval Sea Systems Command and Department of Defense to memorialize the tragic events of Sept. 16 with a gold plaque that is prominently displayed at the center of the opening gate area at Nationals Park.
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert thanked the Washington Nationals for their generosity of spirit and community on the day of the shooting.
“Since your arrival in the neighborhood we have had a growing affinity,” said Greenert. “Especially on that day you were the good neighbor that was there to take care of us and our Navy family.”
Nationals Park is less than a mile from the Washington Navy Yard. Nationals Park served as a center where families could reunite with their loved ones from the Navy Yard in the hours after the shooting. The organization also donated refreshments and hosted Red Cross mental health workers to provide comfort and counseling to those affected.
“A lot of times in the Navy we talk about humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, where it’s about getting started on recovery,” said Greenert. “But to do healing and have things come back together it takes a whole community.”
In attendance of the plaque unveiling were families and friends of the 12 people who were killed at the shooting at the Naval Sea Systems Command.
“We have to remember the fallen and the heroes that day, and this plaque is clearly that remembrance that takes it outside of the Navy Yard and into our community,” said Greenert.