Nothing up their sleeves

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Bryan Ripple
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
Orlando, Fla. --  Reservists honored by local basketball team

A raucous, sellout crowd was on hand Jan. 9 to root for their hometown heroes on the court. More importantly, Orlando Magic players had a chance to pay tribute to their heroes in the stands--the thousands of military men, women and families who were in attendance for the first Seats for Soldiers Night of the 2008-09 season.

The 920th Rescue Wing was well represented, with roughly 30 reservists-- some of whom had just returned from Afghanistan--in the crowd. One of the heroes at the game was Staff Sgt. Diane Lopes, who works for the 920th Security Forces Squadron here. She was badly injured in a mortar attack at Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq while deployed there
in 2007.

"I had such a great time last night at the game," she said. "The Magic really went all out to pay tribute to the men and women of the military. The players were very nice to meet and really supportive of all of us."

For the third year in franchise history, the Magic and Harris Corporation teamed up to put on this special night that offers complimentary and discounted tickets to military personnel and their families.

It's such a special night that many season-ticket holders in Orlando donated their tickets to the game knowing it would result in free tickets for military families. 

"This night is a night where we can say thank you to all those that help protect this country," said Joe Andrade, senior director of ticket sales. "We were really, really excited about the energy that was in the building."

On a night built around them, servicemembers and their families had a chance to see two of the elite and most-exciting teams in the NBA take each other on.
In addition to seeing a great game, which Orlando won 121-87, military men and women heard taped messages throughout the game thanking them for their service. 

During halftime, the team honored Sergeant Lopes by reading a citation describing the incident that earned her the Purple Heart Medal, and then she was presented a basketball autographed by the team.

"It was a very special moment for me and the outpouring of cheers from the fans was overwhelming," she said.

It was a night for these proud Americans to enjoy watching some of the greatest
basketball players in the world, while receiving the thanks they deserve from people they admire.