Bolts to host Military Appreciation Night, presented by USAA, on Tuesday

TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Lightning will host the team's annual Military Appreciation Night, presented by USAA, on Tuesday, November 9 when they take on the Carolina Hurricanes at 7 p.m. at AMALIE Arena. The night serves to support and recognize the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. The Tampa Bay community boasts a robust military population, and each year they are incorporated into all elements of the game, including pre-game activities on Ford Thunder Alley, in-game presentations and more.

Service members and their families from across the Bay Area have the opportunity to attend the game via the Seats for Service program, which donates tickets purchased by local companies and individuals back to those in the Armed Forces.
Among many other activations, the game will feature military vehicles on Ford Thunder Alley, a ceremonial puck drop, Commander of the US Central Command; CENTCOM's Color Guard; members of the Special Operations Command presenting a large American flag on the ice, the SOCOM rappel team, a special military-related Community Hero award and a Marines recruit oath of enlistment ceremony in the first intermission. In addition, the Lightning's own anthem singer, Sonya Bryson-Kirksey, will be receiving the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County, Inc. award for Patriotism during the second intermission. The Bolts' partners at JPMorgan Chase will also be presenting a mortgage free home through Operation Homefront to a local military veteran.
Prior to the game, on November 8, the Lightning will be hosting military members for their practice at AMALIE Arena at 11 a.m. That will also be recapped during the game the following night.
The Lightning will once again be wearing military themed jerseys during their pre-game warm-ups. Those sweaters will be auctioned off to benefit military-related charities through the Lightning Foundation at TBLmilitary.givesmart.com. The auction will be live thru November 19th.
Below is a list of local participating commands in the events.
- USAF 6th Air Refueling Wing - USAF 927th Air Refueling Wing - US Joint Communications Support Element - US Marine Corps Central Command - US Central Command - US Special Operations Command - US Special Operations Command Central - US Coast Guard - Station Clearwater - US Army Recruiting Station, Tampa - US Army Medical Command, Pinellas Park - University of South Florida ROTC