Veterans Day is right around the corner and Robert Kraft's teams is doing what you'd expect a club named "Patriots" to do on the holiday - honoring members of the military. The team, in conjunction with the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, the Wounded Warrior Project and Walter Reed, will host 20 veterans and active members of the armed forces for the Patriots matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Foxboro on Sunday.. Two Patriots alumni, Tom Yewcic (1961-66) and Butch Mahoney (1961), will join the guests.
The guests will attend the team's VIP Tailgate Party, they will be recognized on the field prior to the game and will participate in the color guard and national anthem ceremony. Two members will serve as honorary captains for the coin toss.
"We are honored to host these heroes as our guests at the game as a small token of gratitude for their service," said New England Patriots Charitable Foundation President Josh Kraft. "It is important-not just on Veteran's Day but every day-to thank those who served our country and to keep the men and women currently in the line of duty at the forefront of our thoughts."
The national anthem will be sung by Voices of Freedom and the Color Guard will be presented by the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment Honor Guard. In addition, four Blackhawk Helicopters from 3rd Battalion 126th Aviation based in Westfield, Mass., will conduct the pre-game flyover.
"We are very pleased to be a part of the military recognition activities the Patriots have planned for game day," said Steve Nardizzi, executive director of the Wounded Warrior Project. "Collaborating with other veterans' service organizations is extremely important to help meet the increasing needs of those now returning home with severe injuries. The opportunity to work with the New England Patriots, who are so well-known for their community endeavors, will certainly help raise awareness of our mission and the men and women we are privileged to serve."
The military guests represent World War II, Korea, Vietnam, The Gulf War and the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Information provided by team media relations staff. For more details visit the official team site at www.Patriots.com