EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PURPLE HEART MILITARY NIGHT

Nov 9, 2018

ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE NIGHT WILL BENEFIT THE CNY VETERANS OUTREACH CENTER, CHAPTER 490 MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART, AND CHAPTER 944 VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA

Pregame Proclamation Ceremony, 4:30 PM, Adirondack Bank Center Plaza

• Official proclamation ceremony and reading led by Chapter 490 Military Order of the Purple Heart
• Raising of the Purple Heart flag to complete a new Military Branch Memorial outside of the Adirondack Bank Center
• Unveiling of the Battlefield Cross monument that will be permanently affixed to the Plaza in order to represent the many lives that were lost on the battlefield where military personnel made the ultimate sacrifice
• Mike DiMeo will perform TAPS during a 21-gun salute by the New Hartford Legion
• In the case of inclement weather, there will be tents and seating available
• Doors to the Adirondack Bank Center will open immediately following the ceremony

Pregame, 5-7 PM, Adirondack Bank Center

• First 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Paracord Purple Heart military bracelet
• All fans through the doors will also receive an official proclamation
• Fans are encouraged to wear purple to the game in honor of the many Purple Heart recipients both at the game and in the nation
• Any fan who purchases a 50/50 ticket will be automatically entered to win a Purple Heart jersey. The winner will not be disqualified from winning the carryover pot. Purchasers from Wednesday’s game will be entered for the jersey drawing as well.
• For a donation, fans are also encouraged to sign the new Military Recognition Wall behind Section 213 in honor of any military member, past or present
• Limited edition Comets Purple Heart Military hats will be sold in the Team Store for $30, with all proceeds to benefit the game’s beneficiaries
• Additionally, the Team Store will feature a very limited supply of official Purple Heart locker room tees, polos, Herschel camo backpacks, pucks, drawstring bags, and Basecamp tumblers; supplies are extremely limited, so act fast!
• Beginning when doors open, fans can place their ‘Best Bid’ in the concourse, for a shot at winning their own Purple Heart Comets jersey. The auction will take place behind Section 205 and ends with 5 minutes remaining in the game. Winners from the ‘Best Bid’ auction will be contacted before the end of the game and should head to fan zone to claim their prize.
• A slideshow of Purple Heart and military personnel will cycle on the TVs and video boards during the pregame hours

Pregame Ceremony, 7 PM, Adirondack Bank Center

• Color Guard from the 2^nd Battalion 108^th Infantry Regiment of the New York Army National Guard will present colors
• CWA Chapter 1126, along with Veterans, will hold a large American flag on the ice during the pregame ceremony
• Joe Fraccola, Commander of CNY Chapter 490 Military Order of the Purple Heart, will read an abbreviated version of the official Purple Heart proclamation
• The Comets will also unveil a Purple Heart banner in the rafters immediately following the proclamation reading
• Kathryn Verbitsky, member of the New York Army National Guard, will perform the National Anthem
• Representatives from each major conflict since World War II will perform the Ceremonial Puck drop

In-game, 7-9:30 PM, Adirondack Bank Center

• The Comets will don their Purple Heart military jerseys for the duration of the game
• Fans are encouraged to participate in an arena-wide Hometown Hero initiative during the middle of the 1^st period, as well as a Purple Heart recognition towards the end of the 1^st period

Postgame, 9:30-10:30 PM, Adirondack Bank Center

• 14 Purple Heart military jerseys will be auctioned off live from Section 204 immediately following the conclusion of the game. Any fans interested in participating must sit in 204 (bids from other sections will not be honored).
• Winning bidders will have the chance to get their jersey signed and take a photo with their player.