Cougars to honor armed forces on Military Appreciation Night
The Kane County Cougars will host Military Appreciation Night Saturday, July 2, when they take on the Quad Cities River Bandits in a 6:30 p.m. game. The evening will feature a variety of special events to recognize and honor the sacrifices of both active duty and veterans as well as their families. For tickets, call the Cougars box office at (630) 232-8811 or visit www.kccougars.com.
Big Band Boom! will kick off the festivities with a pregame concert set to begin at 4:45 p.m. An 18-piece modern jazz ensemble, it performs live jazz and swing music including a patriotic song selection. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. and the first 1,500 fans, age 21 and older, will receive a camo sling bag, courtesy of Miller Lite. Military vehicles, courtesy of Cantigny Park, will also be on display.
Rolling Thunder, a nonprofit organization that works to educate the public on issues involving POWs and MIAs, will ride motorcycles around the warning track on the field as part of a pregame ceremony to honor all branches of the military. In addition, Mel Kehr, a retired Navy Seal from Rolling Thunder, will perform the national anthem.
Cougars players and coaches will wear special Military Honor Photo jerseys for the game featuring fan-submitted military portraits of men and women who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces.
Fans who are interested in bidding on the first military honor photo jersey to ever be worn by a Minor or Major League team, will be given the opportunity to do so both at the game and online via a silent auction. The online portion of the silent auction will run July 11-18.
Proceeds from the Military Honor Photo jersey silent auction will benefit the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans. Located in Wheaton, its mission is to provide veterans and their families with housing and support services throughout several areas in Illinois including Kane and DuPage counties. For information, visit www.helpaveteran.org.
After the game, fans will be treated to a patriotic themed fireworks show, presented by Miller Lite, with the opportunity to run the bases following the show.
Active duty military personnel and their immediate families will be given free admission to the game with the proof of their military ID at the box office when ordering tickets. Veterans are encouraged to visit vettix.org to receive complimentary tickets for the July 2 game.
Veterans and active duty military from several groups including the Illinois National Guard, Cantigny Park and Heels for Combat Boots also are scheduled to attend.