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Military honored at local sporting event

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jason McCree
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Hundreds of Airmen and their families converged on the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena Saturday as a part of the military appreciation night at the Spokane Chiefs hockey game.

Members from Team Fairchild, and various other military units throughout the Spokane regional area, were featured just before the Chiefs and the Tri-City Americans hit the ice. Before the action kicked off, Master Sgt. Mark Thrower, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron, joined a contingent of other armed forces members to drop the first puck

"It was an honor to represent my fellow military members and help to enable Air Force people and specifically the Airmen who work in explosive ordinance disposal to receive well-deserved recognition for their sacrifice," Sergeant Thrower said. "It was a proud moment I got to share with my kids, and an opportunity that I will not soon forget."

In addition to dropping the first puck, Team Fairchild's color guard presented the colors, and a senior non-commissioned officer from the 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Master Sgt. Anthony Arnold, provided his rendition of the National Anthem in front of an audience of thousands.

"I had fun singing the anthem at the game," Sergeant Arnold said. "Singing in front of the crowd gave me a strong sense of patriotism, and based on the comments I received afterwards, I felt like I did well."

Team Fairchild was not only represented on the ice. Off the ice Airmen from three on-base organizations came out to set up booths in the arena's lobby. The 92nd Air Refueling Squadron, 336th Training Group and Airman & Family Readiness Center each set up booths to promote awareness for their organizations and the Air Force.

"The community was very receptive; one person actually said they were happy to see military represented at the game," said Melissa Bates, an AFRC community readiness technician, who manned one of the booths. "We talked to a wide range of people who were interested in what we were doing at the game."

Back on the ice, after the tribute to Team Fairchild and the other armed services for their sacrifices, the Chiefs and Americans went head-to-head. After three periods of hockey, the Chiefs left victorious, 4-3.