I will be back later with some rumor updates but I thought with today being Veterans Day in the US and Remembrance Day in Canada it is an appropriate time to say that days like today are a good opportunity not only to say thank you to those who've helped keep our great countries free but also to remember that, when the chips are really down, we are all united as one.
Most of us, my family included, have people in the family who have served in our armed forces either in war time or peace time. Some come from military families and may even be serving now or have done so in the past. All I can say is we owe you all a debt of gratitude.
Here in Philadelphia, I LOVE what the Flyers and Flyers Alumni have been doing this week. On Monday, a group of current Flyers (led by Wayne Simmonds and Brian Elliott) hosted a hockey clinic for a dozen active duty members of the U.S. Air Force.... a few of which just returned from overseas within the past week. The main instructors were two Flyers Alumni members, Brad Marsh and Bob Kelly, who stayed on the ice from beginning to end. Tonight, the Air Force members will be guests in Wayne Simmonds' suite at the Wells Fargo Center for the Flyers-Wild game and then come down to the locker room after the game. Before the game, in their honor as well as in recognition of Veterans/Remembrance Day, all Flyers players will wear camouflage jerseys during pregame warmups.
Also today, several members of the Flyers Alumni (Jim Watson, Bob Kelly and assistant coach Ian Laperriere) conducted another on-ice clinic... this one for 40 kids from military families who are part of the United Heroes League program that provides opportunities for the children of military families (who often move around frequently and, thus, do not put down roots) access to playing sports including hockey. The kids will also be at tonight's game as guests of the Flyers.
The Flyers aren't the only NHL organization that are putting together events such as these as a way of thanking our servicemen and servicewomen but they have often been right at the forefront, seeking no publicity beyond simply doing the right thing.
Good job, Flyers and Flyers Alumni, as well to all who go the extra step to show appreciation for those who serve our nations.