Star Wars comes to the Pentagon and Nats Park

Star Wars fans won’t have to travel to a “galaxy far, far away” on Saturday to catch some swag from their favorite movie franchise.

A special edition bobblehead featuring Washington Nationals pitcher Kyle Finnegan wearing the uniform of the Rebel Alliance’s starfighter pilots will be available to 15,000 fans visiting Nationals Ballpark on May 4.

Finnegan recently toured the Pentagon and visited with members of the U.S. Space Force in the build-up to Star Wars at Nats Park.

Finnegan called his visit to the Pentagon “special.”

“It really makes you appreciate all the people we have working to protect the country and being centered here at the Pentagon not too far from the stadium makes you appreciate everyone here. It’s an honor and privilege to place in the nation’s capital,” he said.

During his visit, Finnegan had the opportunity to meet Space Force members and passed out Star Wars bobbleheads.

“I always had an interest in planes and aviation as a kid and actually one of my younger brothers is becoming a pilot currently,” he said. “Playing with Star Wars toys, absolutely.”

Finnegan said his favorite Star Wars movie is “The Empire Strikes Back.”

“We got Yoda out of that one,” he said, adding that he always thought Darth Mal was “cool as a kid,” even though he was Dark Side.

“I was into Dark Side characters as a kid, as I’ve gotten older I like the Light Side better,” he said.

Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force, John. F. Bentivegna, said the relationship between service members, local communities and sports teams is important, especially at the Pentagon and in the National Capitol Region.

“As military members, we move around the nation sometimes we move around the world. A little slice of home, connecting wherever you live and connecting with the teams and the community that kind of supports the men and women who are serving,” he said.

Bentivegna and Finnegan are both Star Wars fans who have their franchise fan-favorite movie. Bentivegan said Finnegan could also be good X-Wing pilot.

“Some training, some training, but his reaction time would be good,” he said.

The celebration at Nats Park begins tonight (Friday) with a fireworks display set to Star War music and concludes Sunday with a Light Side vs. Dark Side reversible beanie giveaway.

Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com .