The Patriots will celebrate Veteran's Day by honoring veterans and active military on Sunday, when they face the Dolphins at Gillette Stadium in an anticipated AFC East matchup.
New England will play host to 20 veterans and active military guests, in coordination with the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, the Wounded Warrior Project and Walter Reed.
Two Patriots alumni — Tom Yewcic and Butch Mahoney — will be among the guests. Those to be honored will attend the Patriots' VIP Tailgate Party and will be recognized on the field prior to opening kickoff. They will also participate in the color guard and anthem ceremony, while two guests will be honorary captains for the coin toss.
Voices of Freedom will sing the national anthem at the game and a pregame flyover will be conducted by four Blackhawk helicopters.
“We are honored to host these heroes as our guests at the game as a small token of gratitude for their service,” said New England Patriots Charitable Foundation president Josh Kraft. “It is important — not just on Veteran’s Day but every day — to thank those who served our country and to keep the men and women currently in the line of duty at the forefront of our thoughts.”
The veterans and active military will represent World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf War along with current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“As a care and research collaborator with the military and the first rehabilitation hospital in New England to treat soldiers, Spaulding’s has worked closely with these inspiring heroes," said Spaulding spokesman Tim Sullivan. "We thank the Patriots Charitable Foundation and the Kraft Sports Group for their unwavering support of our wounded warriors."
