Today, about 100 Navy recruits will be sent off to basic training in a traditional St. Louis sendoff.

In the 52nd annual Cardinal Company ceremony, the recruits are sworn in wearing red shirts. They have a picnic with their families at Soldiers Memorial this afternoon, then march to Busch Stadium.

An enlistment ceremony is held on the field before the game (tonight against division rival Cincinnati),  the group watches the game, and then heads off to basic training to applause from the appreciative crowd.

The Cardinals and the local Navy recruiting office have been holding Cardinal Company since 1958.