Islanders Host Military Appreciation Night Presented by Ford

The New York Islanders are hosting Military Appreciation Night presented by Ford on Thursday, November 10th against the Arizona Coyotes. As a token of appreciation, more than 500 tickets were distributed to military members and their families through ticket donations from the Islanders team and Your Local Ford Stores.
Thursday's game will also feature a ceremonial puck drop, military hat giveaway, and other activations that you can read more about below. The lanterns atop UBS Arena will also be lit up green in appreciation of our service members.

Hat Giveaway presented by Your Local Ford Stores

The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a Ford x NYI x 50th Anniversary co-branded hat.

Ceremonial Puck Drop

Fans in attendance will not want to miss the ceremonial puck drop! Look to the rafters as pararescue men from the 103rd Rescue Squadron, of the 106th Rescue Wing stationed in Westhampton Beach, rappel with the nation's colors to deliver the night's puck to center ice.

Flag Captain of the Game

The night's honorary Flag Captain is Petty Officer 1st Class Junge Yu. PS1 Yu joined the Navy in 2016 and has seen deployments to Greece, Israel, and United Kingdom to participate in strikes against ISIL in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. In 2020, Yu was assigned to Navy Recruiting Station in Flushing as a Recruiter, where he was originally recruited out of in 2016.
Additionally, the color guard for Thursday's game will be made up of Vietnam vets.

I Salute Placards

Fans will have the opportunity to honor those who served by filling out an "I Salute" placard and holding them up during a TV timeout. Fans will be able to personalize a placard at the Ford table located outside the Isles Lab or at the Community Relations table outside of Section 108.
Salute a service member at home! Fans can print off an "I Salute" placard and post to social media to show their support for a veteran, fallen service member, or active military member. Show your support today.

PRINT OFF A PLACARD HERE

Fundraisers: Mystery Pucks

Limited edition military themed autographed pucks are back! Fans can purchase a mystery puck at the Community Table behind section 108 on the concourse for $50. All pucks are autographed by a 2022-23 New York Islanders player. Who will you get?! All pucks are individually wrapped with autographs concealed. Limited inventory available. Mystery pucks are supported by your Local Ford Stores. Proceeds benefit the Islanders Children's Foundation and its military related initiatives.

Fundraisers: Military Jersey Auction

The Islanders will wear military inspired jerseys in warmups, which will be available via auction until 10 p.m.on Nov. 10. Jerseys are warm-up worn and autographed by corresponding player\. Bid until 10 p.m.* on Nov. 10 at
newyorkislanders.com/jerseyauction
. The auction is supported by your Local Ford Stores. Proceeds benefit the Islanders Children's Foundation.

*Jerseys are warm-up issued during 11/10 game.

50/50 Raffle

Proceeds from the 50/50 raffle will benefit USO and the United Heroes League. Please look for representatives selling raffle tickets around the UBS Arena concourse. Tickets will be sold from the time doors open until the end of the 2nd intermission. More information about the Islanders 50/50 raffle is
available here
.

Hockey with a Heart Charities: USO & United Heroes League

The night's Hockey With a Heart Charity of the Game features two military related causes. Show your support by purchasing a 50/50 raffle ticket on the concourse as both charities are beneficiaries for the night.
The first is USO, an organization that strengthens America's military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. To learn more visit:
www.uso.org
.
The second is United Heroes League, an organization dedicated to ensuring that children of military members are afforded every opportunity to participate in sports from donating equipment, to subsidizing association fees, and providing special ticketing experiences. To learn more visit:
unitedheroesleague.org
.

Military Hero of the Game Presented by Your Local Ford Stores:

During the second period the New York Islanders will represent Robert Schatz as the Military Hero of the Game. Schatz is a World War II Veteran who served the Army 95th Medical Battalion between 1943-1945.

On the Concourse

The Army National Guard will have a recruiting table on the UBS Arena concourse.
The
Warrior Scholar Project
will also have a presence on the UBS Arena concourse. The Warrior Scholar Project's mission is to ensure that every degree-seeking enlisted veteran and transitioning servicemember succeeds in their pursuit of higher education and beyond.
Per the organization, WSP hosts intensive and immersive one and two-week college-preparatory academic boot camps for enlisted veterans and transitioning service members. Boot camps are offered in three disciplines: Humanities, STEM, and Business & Entrepreneurship.

Built Ford Tough Military Tribute

Your Local Ford Stores, the New York Islanders, and the Islanders Children's Foundation are proud to honor service members, veterans, and their families.
Together, we are looking for nominations of veterans and activity duty service members in the community deserving of the Built Ford Tough Military Tribute. Please fill out the nomination form below and tell us how your nominee has served their country and community. At the end of the 2022-23 regular season, one lucky nominee will be selected, and they will receive a brand new Ford truck.
Last season, Dennis Burgos, who served two tours in the Marine Corps and is currently an NYPD officer, was the recipient of a Ford F-150 courtesy of the Built Ford Tough Military Tribute.
Nominate a hero here
.

Past Initiatives:

Military Baby Shower
On July 7, the Islanders Children's Foundation teamed up with Operation and Shower and Ryan LLC
to give military moms a special baby shower
. Twenty-five mothers received various gifts such as strollers, baby carriers, Delta pack and plays, and Operation Shower's specialty, the 'shower in a box,' a full baby shower for every mom packaged into one handy box.
LI Warriors Host Summer Shootout
The LI Warriors hosted a hockey tournament for veteran, police and firefighter teams at Northwell Health Ice Center.
Read more here
.