The Anaheim Ducks will conduct Military Appreciation Night at Sunday’s game against the Calgary Flames at Honda Center, paying tribute to area military members and their families and assisting the United Heroes League.
Ducks players will wear camouflage jerseys during pregame warmups. The jerseys will be autographed after the game and made available in an online auction at AnaheimDucks.com/auction.
Members of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command and U.S special forces soldiers from Special Operations Detachment-North will rappel from the rafters to join military police patrol/explosive detector dog, Corporal Nero and military police K-9 handler, Lance Cpl. Brandon C. Benningfield, who will participate in the honorary puck drop.
Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Alan Merritt will be honored as a community hero. Merritt has been a member of the Marine Corps for 12 years and has been on multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. His honors include three Navy Achievement Medals, the Combat Action Ribbon and three Good Conduct Medals.
Former U.S. Army Sgt. Mark Miller will receive the Salute to Those Who Serve Award. Miller joined the Army in June 1966 and served in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” device for valor; Bronze Star for Meritorious Service and the Purple Heart.
There will be a curling contest involving members of the U.S. Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard during the first intermission.
Military Appreciation Night will also seek to raise awareness for the United Heroes League which provided free equipment, camps, special events and financial assistance for registration fees and other costs associated with sports to children of military members so they are afforded every opportunity to participate in sports.
–City News Service