WISH-TV, Colts honor military service

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Indianapolis Colts are dedicating their November 4 as “Salute to Service,” honoring our military personnel. This Military Appreciation Game effort will include on-field recognition of local servicemen and women, as well as opportunities for fans to show their appreciation.

WISH-TV news anchors and reporters along with volunteers from the American Red Cross will distribute camouflage ribbons outside the gates of Lucas Oil Stadium from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. In addition, the Colts will honor more than 300 veterans, active duty military members and family members of fallen soldiers on the field.

A complete list of the Colts gameday military appreciation efforts includes:

• A pre-game camo ribbon distribution for fans outside Lucas Oil Stadium gates from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
• A full-field flag presentation by more than 150 soldiers from all five branches of the military
• The National Anthem sung by Indiana National Guardsman Specialist Ronald Walker
• Holiday Mail for Heroes booths in the Colts Fan Zone and outside sections 110, 132, 143 and 148
• Special edition Scout gameday program cover
• Nearly 150 children and family members of fallen soldiers honored as the 12th Man Fans of the Game
• A special “Heroes” video PSA featuring several Colts players
• Limited edition camouflage gloves, captains patches and Gatorade towels for Colts players
• Goal post wraps, in-stadium banners, pylon decals and the words “SALUTE TO SERVICE” written out in the back of the endzone
• Helmet decals representing all five branches of the military
• Military personnel participating in the Harrison College T-shirt Toss during the game and receive front row seats.

Indianapolis Colts are also joining with the American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis on their Holiday Mail for Heroes program. In addition, on Monday, November 5, the Colts will partner with Harrison College and local students to decorate footballs and assemble 200 care packages to be delivered to the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center. The team has created www.colts.com/salute to highlight both the local and national Salute to Service campaign.

HOLIDAY MAIL FOR HEROES

For the first year, the Colts are teaming up with the American Red Cross to support their Holiday Mail for Heroes program, an initiative the Red Cross started six years ago to provide holiday cheer for U.S. military members serving around the world. To date, more than 4 million cards have been distributed with holiday greetings and gratitude from the American public.

The Colts and the Red Cross have created 5,000 Colts-themed holiday cards for fans to sign at the team’s Blue Friday event this Friday, November 2, at the Mooresville Meijer (10509 Heartland Boulevard, Mooresville, IN 46113), from 12-1 p.m. Fans attending Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins will also have the opportunity to sign a card inside the Colts Fan Zone and main concourse of Lucas Oil Stadium.

NOVEMBER 5 – RICHARD L. ROUDEBUSH VA MEDICAL CENTER VISIT

For the third consecutive year, the Indianapolis Colts will work with local students to decorate 200 Colts footballs and place them in care packages for delivery to veterans at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis, Ind. This year, the Colts are partnering with Harrison College to engage students from Metropolitan High School, as well as Harrison College students and employees, in the project.

On Monday, November 5, Colts players and Community Spokesperson Josh Bleill will visit Metropolitan High School from 10-11 a.m. to help the students and Harrison College employees decorate 200 footballs with messages of thanks. The footballs will then be placed in care packages and delivered to veterans by students and players from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. that afternoon at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center.