US Army Veteran and Somerville resident Nick Starling celebrates a great swing at the Green Monster with Boston Red Sox Assistant Hitting Coach Victor Rodriguez during a special CVS Caremark Baseball Camp held July 2 at the park. — Photos by Constance Brown Photography

To honor our nation’s heroes and recognize them for their service to our country, CVS Caremark and the Boston Red Sox today teamed up to provide veterans of all abilities from across New England with a once-in-a-lifetime experience – a batting practice and baseball skills camp at America’s most beloved ballpark, Fenway Park.

Through the CVS Caremark Baseball Camp, the veterans found themselves in a league of their own – receiving tips from the Boston Red Sox Hitting Staff Tim Hyers and Victor Rodriguez, taking swings at the Green Monster and enjoying lunch in the Red Sox dugout. The veterans were also provided exclusive access to the historic ballpark during a VIP tour, and received tickets to the evening’s game against the Chicago Cubs, courtesy of CVS Caremark, in the CVS/pharmacy Family seating section. The camp was hosted by CVS Caremark as an extension of the company’s commitment to our nation’s military heroes and individuals of all abilities.

The veterans who participated in the special day at Fenway Park were invited by CVS Caremark through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) New England Adaptive Sports Program. The program operates through the VA Boston Healthcare System.

“It is an honor to bring these proud servicemen and women to Fenway Park for a special baseball camp experience, especially as we get ready to celebrate the 4^th of July,” said Eileen Howard Boone, senior vice president of corporate social responsibility and philanthropy for CVS Caremark. “This is CVS Caremark’s fourth season of partnering with the Red Sox on this initiative and, each year, we find ourselves humbled and inspired by the veterans who participate.”

“We are so grateful to CVS Caremark for making this initiative possible for the fourth year in a row,” said Jenny McLaughlin, adaptive sports case manager of the VA Boston Healthcare System. “Our veterans look forward to this event each year and love the opportunity to spend some time together, get expert baseball advice and spend a day on the field at Fenway Park.”

Over the years, CVS Caremark has provided charitable support to a range of veteran-focused initiatives. The company has supported military and veteran-focused organizations, including the National Guard, Fisher House, Operation Military Embrace and the USO. The company has also worked with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes program to identify and hire veterans, has established a colleague resource group for veterans – called Valor – within CVS Caremark, and has hosted a series of football skills camps and golf clinics for veterans.

Left to right standing: US Army Veteran Mark Dupras of Taunton; US Marine Corps Veteran Dale Bishop of Norton; Rodriguez; US Marine Corps Veteran Marc Audet of Douglas; Boston Red Sox Team Staff member Ray Fagnant; CVS Caremark Community Relations Senior Director Faith Weiner; US Army Veteran Nick Starling of Somerville; Boston Red Sox Mascot Wally the Green Monster; US Army active duty Michael Sullivan of Shirley; US Army Veteran Steve Fullers of Brockton; US Army Veteran Kathy Siminoni of Seekonk; US Army Veteran Xiaolian Tan of Roslindale.