FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 22, 2018
Update: 18-04
COL (CA) Richard Lalor: (562) 795-2096
SrA Crystal Housman: (805) 458-3825
JFTB BASEBALL COMPLEX RENAMED
IN HONOR OF 40TH INFANTRY DIVISION
LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — In recognition of more than 100 years of selfless service to community, state and nation by the Citizen Soldiers of the California National Guard’s 40th Infantry Division, the leadership of Joint Forces Training Base has renamed the installation’s baseball complex “Sunburst Field” to honor the men and women who have served in the Division since its formation in 1917.
Plaques placed on each diamond by the Division Alumni Association will pay tribute to five Sunburst Division Medal of Honor recipients, including Capt. Nelson Miles Holderman (World War l), Staff Sgt. John C. Sjogren (World War ll), and Sgt. Gilbert G. Collier, Sgt. David B. Bleak and Cpl. Clifton T. Speicher (Korean War).
The complex is leased by JFTB to Los Alamitos Youth Baseball (LAYB), a non-profit organization associated with PONY Baseball that offers programs for boys and girls ages 4 to 14 and is the site of PONY Baseball’s Bronco World Series each August. Under a new lease agreement, the baseball diamonds will also be utilized by military personnel through a program managed by the installation’s MWR Department.
“Joint Forces Training Base has been a proud partner and teammate with our surrounding communities dating back to its 1942 commissioning as a naval air station,” said JFTB Installation Commander Col. Julian Bond. “The renaming of our baseball complex to ‘Sunburst Field’ not only recognizes the contributions of our Citizen Soldiers, but it solidifies our military linkage by honoring the past, saluting the present and inspiring future generations.”
“Joint Forces Training Base has been home to Los Alamitos Youth Baseball for many years and I am excited to announce that we will be renewing our lease for an additional five years,” added LAYB President Justin Cook. “After all, how many people can say they are allowed to play baseball on an active military base? It is a privilege and honor and we are thankful for everything that they do.”
For additional information, please contact COL (CA) Richard Lalor at (562) 795-2096 or via email at richard.w.lalor2.nfg@mail.mil, or SrA Crystal Housman at (805) 458-3825 or via email at crystal.c.housman.mil@mail.mil
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