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WASHINGTON D.C. (junee 15, 2008) - Hundreds of troops and their
families were treated to a professional soccer match on Flag Day
during D.C. United's 9th Annual Armed Forces and Veteran's
Appreciation Day at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in the nation's
capital.
"A whole night dedicated to servicemembers makes me feel good,"
said Army Spec. Devin Calcote, a member of the 3rd U.S. Infantry
Regiment, "The Old Guard," who presented the nation's colors at the
beginning of the match between D.C. United and the New York Red
Bulls.
The team provided 1,000 free tickets for active-duty
servicemembers. Discounted tickets for military identification card
holders and their families were also available.
"It is a privilege and an honor for D.C. United to host a
special night for military personnel and veterans each season,"
said Stephen Zack, D.C. United's executive vice president. "We
respect the courage and commitment these individuals display and
hope to share with them our support."
Support was on display in the stadium parking before the game.
Military recruiters, the U.S.O. and America Supports You greeted
troops and soccer fans on their walk from the parking lot.
"I wrote thank you for being in the troops and keeping our
nation safe," said D.C. United fan Timothy Murnin, 12, describing
what he wrote on a greeting card to the troops at the Department of
Defense America Supports You booth.
America Supports you is a Department of Defense program that
connects individual citizens, troop-support organizations and
companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home
and abroad. America Supports you and its local, non-profit
homefront groups have been involved with D.C. United's Military
Appreciation Night for the past two years.
Before the game, thousands of soccer fans witnessed a
swearing-in ceremony for some two dozen new recruits headed into
the Marine Corps, Army National Guard, Air National Guard and Coast
Guard.
"It's great to be honored here on Flag Day and to enlist some
youngsters. The support tonight for servicemembers from all
branches in unbelievable," said Marine Lt. Gen. Ronald Coleman,
deputy commandant for manpower and reserve affairs for the U.S.
Marine Corps, before he administered the oath of enlistment.
For one new recruit who will report to the Recruit Training
Depot at Parris Island, S.C., on junee 23, being enlisted into the
Marine Corps by a three-star general, in front of thousands of
people, was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"It hit me right in the heart. I really felt like America
appreciated me, and I couldn't believe that all those clapping
hands were for me," said Dayron Nibblins, an aspiring aviation
electrical technician.
A driving rain began pouring down in the minutes between the
enlistment ceremony and kickoff, but that didn't stop the action on
the field. Some military spectators from the Walter Reed Army
Medical Center Wounded Warrior Battalion stayed out of the rain and
enjoyed a bird's eye view of the game from the Champion's Club
overlooking the field.
"It's great to have the opportunity to come here and relax with
my family. I know a good part of the country is behind the soldiers
because everywhere I go I get that sentiment, people are positive,"
said Army Maj. David Hanes, an armor officer.
Hanes was a victim of a roadside bomb in October 2006, and has
suffered through a litany of broken screws and plates, along with
an infection in his right femur.
"The good news is that I hope to be going back on duty in the
next month or two," said Hanes as his son, Colin, clung to his
side.
For men and women like Hanes eager to serve their country,
appreciation for their service can be summed up with the sage words
of a an 11-year old soccer fan.
"The troops are fighting for our country and making us free. I
want to make them feel appreciated," said Danny Zilevicius as he
filled out an America Supports You greeting card for the
troops.
By the end of the night, D.C. United and its fans were rewarded
for their appreciation of the armed forces and veterans with a 4-1
win over New York.
Editor's Note: Military families can also avail
themselves of the Defense Department's America Supports You
program, which highlights home-front groups across the nation that
are providing a variety of services and support to troops and their
families. A listing of these groups and information about their
efforts is available at www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil.
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