100,000 People don’t typically go to events that are not sport, and certainly not nearly as regularly. At such events there are already color guards which I hope are not charged an entrance fee, or asked to leave after their duty is performed. This question is not “speculative” I honestly think it is something worth considering.
In truth I think that it is asking them to act like the color guard. It is asking them to show up and stand as a symbol to a group of people who have come together for an American pastime. I am not suggesting they should have to sit in a certain spot, but maybe they should be asked to wear the medal which I think is not at all showing off nor should they feel that way, they should wear it very proudly. Acknowledging them IS acknowledging all servicemen, in my opinion, because they represent the highest form of service to the country. Many Olympians compete, but only one gets the Gold. That doesn’t mean that we by so doing dishonor the other competitors!
As for superfluous relatives, or identity theft, I think those are issues that are easily overcome compared to the glorious courage these men exercised in overcoming our enemies and spitting in the face of death itself for our sakes.
But a relative or companion should certainly be allowed to accompany them. Taxpayers ought joyfully pay such a meagre expense! Furthermore, I don’t own a franchise or a ballpark but I would dare to conjecture that the men who do are of such a fine calibre that they wouldn’t mind footing the bill themselves. Many of the wealthy are virtuous, at very least superficially, and this seems a good show of patriotism.
The British have a full monarchy they pay for. I don’t think ill nor well of that. This is different because it show cases exactly what we value in our country. If anything these heroes would be doing us a favor by displaying themselves. Maybe there could be an option to pay an extra $0.25 on my ticket for the benefit of having them there, or that such a small fee would go towards a national sporting event service that was an outreach to them to do everything to make sure they got to the game, and back with a meal, etc.
Sporting events bring this country together unlike any other pastime. That is the reason for their exceptional nature.