David Bellavia throws first pitch at Nationals/Dodgers game

David Bellavia threw out the ceremonial first pitch in game three of the 2019 NLDS playoff baseball series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. The two teams are tied at 1-1.

Bellavia is the only living Iraq veteran to receive the Medal of Honor, which is our country's highest military honor. For the June 25 Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House, the Buffalo/Niagara community supported Bellavia's dream of being surrounded by every living member of his Task Force when he received the honor. More than 750 of his Western New York neighbors donated funds to make that dream a reality. Bellavia has said, "The Medal of Honor is for all who served with me in Iraq." He served three military campaigns: Kosovo 2003 and Operation Iraqi Freedom I and Operation Iraqi Freedom II. Bellavia is a graduate of Lyndonville High School in Orleans County and the University of Buffalo. He resides with his family in Western New York.

Shortly after receiving the Medal of Honor at the White House on June 25, Bellavia threw out the first pitch at the Mets/Yankees game on the Fourth of July.

Bellavia will be honored October 12 by the Niagara Falls community with a key to the city and present the talk "Duty 1st with David Bellavia: Serving Country and Community" at the Rapids Theatre. Tickets to the 3 p.m. event are $22 and will benefit a new non-profit created by Bellavia called Deuce Deuce Relief Fund. This inaugural fundraiser and Deuce Deuce benefits soldiers from Bellavia's prior Task Force in Iraq (Task Force 2-2), who may be experiencing hardship or require other assistance.
Tickets are available online through EventBrite, with a link at DavidBellavia.com.