FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Fort Jackson is continuing its partnership with the Columbia Blowfish baseball club and the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the Army's birthday with a baseball game.

Now in its fifth year, Fort Jackson Night treats military families to a free night of baseball as the Columbia Blowfish take on the Gastonia Grizzlies, two collegiate summer baseball teams in the Coastal Plain League.

"We feed a little over 4,000 Soldiers hot dogs and refreshments," said Ike McLeese, president and CEO of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce. "It's just an impressive sight to see that many Soldiers having a good time."

The event will also allow organizers to introduce veterans of past conflicts to the audience, he said.

"They always arrange for us to honor heroes from past conflicts," McLeese said. "We put them in a golf cart and drive them out between innings. The Soldiers are really inspired when they realize who they're seeing and what their story is."

The event takes place at 7 p.m. June 9 at the Capital City Stadium, located at 301 S. Assembly St., Columbia.

The game is free to anyone in the military, McLeese said. Tickets can be picked up in advance from the Chamber of Commerce before June 7, or at the Blowfish Stadium Ticket Office on game day. For more information, contact rsvpchamber@columbiachamber.net.