BROCKPORT, N.Y. -- The College at Brockport baseball team will celebrate and honor the service men and women of the United States with the fourth annual Hometown Heroes event on Saturday, April 27 prior to the double-header against State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) opponent, SUNY Cortland.
 
Hometown Heroes is a chance for Brockport Baseball to honor service men and women from various service industries, such as police forces, fire departments, active and veteran members of the military. The event, which is free to the public, honors local members of these fields and provides free lunch and t-shirts to those who serve. The day will be highlighted by a 100-foot flag display by local fire departments, the presentation of the colors by the Brockport ROTC, and a ceremonial first pitch, delivered by Lieutenant Colonel Denis C. Michel.
 
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Denise C. Michel enlisted in the US Army as a High School senior.  She completed four years active duty and upon release, she joined the US Army Reserve with an assignment in Amherst, N.Y. Near the end of a four year Active Guard Reserve (AGR) tour, she was accepted as a candidate in the Empire State Military Academy - Officer's Candidate School (OCS).
 
After commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, in positions with a variety of responsibilities. Michel completed one deployment to Balad, Iraq with the 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, serving as the Secretary of the General Staff (SGS). 
 
LTC Michel proudly retired on July 1, 2018, with 39 continuous years of dedicated service to the United States Army. Her recognitions and awards include 4^th Brigade and 98^th Division Soldier of the Year; 4^th Brigade 98th Division NCO of the Year, Honor Graduate Adjutant General Officer's Advanced Course; one Bronze Star Medal; five Meritorious Service Medals; three Army Commendation Medals; four Army Achievement Medals; two Overseas Medals; and two Good Conduct Medals.
 
Michel joined the New York State Police as a Recruit Trooper in March 1992.  Upon graduation from the New York State Police Academy, she was assigned to the position of Trooper in Troop F, Orange County, SP Monroe. Denise was appointed as an Investigator. She currently assigned as a Field Intelligence Officer in Rochester, NY.
  
The first pitch and pre-game ceremony will take place at 11:45 a.m. on April 27, before the Golden Eagles face off against State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC), SUNY Cortland, for a double-header starting at 12 p.m.

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