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Military

Padres Honor Gold Star Families Who Lost Relatives In Iraq And Afghanistan

People fill Petco as the Padres play the Dodgers, May 21, 2016.
Brooke Ruth
People fill Petco as the Padres play the Dodgers, May 21, 2016.

The San Diego Padres will mark Memorial Day by hosting Gold Star families who lost a relative during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The families will be recognized during a home plate ceremony before the game against the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park.

U.S. Army Chaplain Justin Roberts, who helped form the "Brother's Keeper" program in an attempt to reduce suicides among soldiers, will throw the ceremonial first pitch to former Padres catcher Jim Leyritz.

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Both teams will wear their Memorial Day uniforms that have the team names in woodland camouflage. The caps will be camouflage with five stars representing the five branches of the military.

RELATED: US Navy Pilot To Be Buried At Fort Rosecrans 50 Years After Being Shot Down Over Vietnam

The Padres and Cubs wore the road versions of the jerseys Saturday and Sunday.

All proceeds from the sale of Memorial Day apparel will benefit MLB Charities and used to support programs for military veterans and their families.

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