Ducks to Honor Armed Forces at Military Appreciation Night on Sunday

The Ducks will honor the United States Armed Forces by hosting Military Appreciation Night presented by Pacific Premier Bank on Sunday, Nov. 10 at Honda Center when the Ducks face the Edmonton Oilers (6 p.m.). All fans in attendance will receive a camo hat courtesy of Pacific Premier Bank. This special game night will pay tribute to local military members and their families as well as raise awareness for military nonprofit organization, United Heroes League.

Ducks players will be wearing camouflage Ducks jerseys during the pregame warmup for Military Appreciation Night. Jerseys will be auctioned starting at 4 p.m. PT on Sunday, Nov. 10 and the auction will run until Monday, Nov. 11 at 12 p.m. PT. To bid, text Ducks to 52182, or visit
AnaheimDucks.com/ingameauctions
. All proceeds will benefit United Heroes League. The night will begin with four members of the CA Air National Guard from the 131st rescue squadron rappelling from the rafters to join Sergeant (Retired) Richard Silva, United States Marine Corps who will participate in the evening's honorary first puck drop. The action continues throughout the evening with military personnel and family members from United Heroes League participating in a variety of experiences including Blue Line Skates, National Anthem, Zamboni rides and the evening's Honorary Duck.
In a pre-game ceremony, the Ducks will honor Staff Sergeant Brandon Dodson of the United Stated Marine Corps with the Community Hero Award for his dedication to our country. Brandon enlisted into the Marine Corps' in 2002 and served in support for Operation Iraqi Freedom as a Rifleman/Saw Gunner. He then gained further experience as a Squad Leader for a Mobile Assault Platoon, deploying to Al Qaim, Iraq in 2007 where he was when then promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Shortly after returning from Iraq, Sergeant Dodson transferred to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego to further challenge himself as a Drill Instructor. He deployed again in 2012, to Sangin, Afghanistan, as a Squad Leader, where he was promoted to Staff Sergeant and put on Temporary Assigned Duty to the Tactical Training Exercise Group for six months, where he served as Platoon Sergeant. In 2014, Staff Sergeant Dodson deployed to Afghanistan, as Platoon Sergeant where he was injured on patrol after stepping on an IED. Following his injury, Staff Sergeant Dodson was transferred to Walter Reed National Medical Center where he medically retired on September 9, 2016. He currently resides in San Diego, CA and is a proud member of the San Diego Ducks Sled Hockey Team.
His personal decorations include the Purple Heart, Navy Achievement medal, and Combat Action Ribbon as well as numerous unit and service awards.
During the game, Shane Hudella will be honored with the Salute to Those Who Serve Award. Hudella founded Defending The Blue Line a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the spring of 2009 while on Active Duty to help military families with the high costs of hockey. Hudella's vision expanded in 2016 as Defending The Blue Line became United Heroes League, and began serving all sports to reach a broader base of military kids. Prior to running United Heroes League, Shane served on Active Duty for the Minnesota Army National Guard deploying first for Operation Desert Storm in 1990. Hudella retired in 2012 at the rank of 1SG (First Sergeant). Some of his military awards/decorations include: The Meritorious Service Medal, Four Army Commendation Medals, Four Army Achievement Medals, Two National Defense Service Medals, The Southwest Asia Service Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Medal, and the Honorable Order of St. Barbara.
First Sergeant (Retired) Hudella is extremely honored to be able to continue his service to our nation's heroes through United Heroes League and with the help of the Anaheim Ducks and their fans, the organization has been able to help over 50,000 military families with more than $15 million worth of equipment, grants, and other benefits that allow them to play the game they love. He and his wife, Jessica, have four sons, Patton, Joey, Zach and Cooper. The family is very active in the hockey community where all four boys are goaltenders like their dad.
A limited number of tickets are still available for Military Appreciation Night and can be purchased through
AnaheimDucks.com/SingleGameTickets
, by phone with Ticketmaster at (714) 703-2545 or in person at the Honda Center Box Office. Created to bring more value to season tickets, fans can join the Orange Alliance for less than $14 a game for the 2019-20 season, which includes tickets to every Anaheim Ducks home game. Orange Alliance Season Ticket Memberships offer many exciting and exclusive benefits such as guaranteed giveaways, zero percent interest payment plans, access to special events, playoff priority and much more. Fans can become part of the Orange Alliance and place deposits on Mini Plan ticket packages by calling 1-877-WILD-WING or visiting
AnaheimDucks.com/JoinTheAlliance
.
About United Heroes League
United Heroes League keeps military kids active and healthy through sports while their parents serve our country and has helped over 50,000 military families keep or start their kids in sports. United Heroes League has provided over $12 million dollars-worth of free sports equipment, game tickets, cash grants, skill development camps, and special experiences to military families across the US & Canada.