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BLACKSBURG – The newest event for the Virginia Tech baseball team and its 19 Ways program, an initiative to find 19 ways to help make a difference within the community each academic year, saw several players and the entire baseball staff hosting a Military Appreciation Breakfast on Wednesday morning, Dec. 11 in Lane Stadium.

Organized by the Tech staff and Colonel Dave Miller, Ph.D., almost 50 veterans came to campus this morning for the event. The group started the day with a picture with some of the Tech players on Worsham Field, then toured a number of the floors of the stadium before making their way to the fifth floor dining area to be served breakfast by members of the Hokies’ baseball team.

“Today was an opportunity for our program to thank the men and women who have served and protected our freedoms,” head baseball coach Patrick Mason said. “To be able to serve breakfast and provide a tour of facilities was an honor. I am proud of our players for wanting to get involved and give back to an incredible group of men and women”

Originally, Mason hoped to organize the event to take place on Veteran’s Day back in November, but with the Hokies just finishing up their fall season it was rescheduled for December. Colonel Miller actually appreciated the postponement.

“All of the veterans on Veteran’s Day are involved in all types of events,” he said. “We host a 24-hour vigil of the Rock on campus here. Our cadets are posted on guard duty for that 24 hours. We have a ceremony at War Memorial Chapel at 10 a.m. in remembrance of all the service members. This was just a great time to do this.

“It’s been a tradition with the athletic department here and with the baseball team to host Military Appreciation Days, and this was something that they wanted to do to recognize the veterans we have on campus and in the community and it was very nice. We really appreciated this recognition and it was an excellent breakfast.”

Click on the right side of the page to see a photo gallery of the event. WSLS 10’s Bethany Teague stopped by the event and the story was aired on Wednesday night’s 5:30 p.m. newscast - here's a link.

This was the 11th event of the 2013-14 academic year for 19 Ways. For more information on the team’s 19 Ways program, please visit the Facebook page.

For updates on Virginia Tech baseball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_Baseball