Certain things strike a chord with me as a sportswriter, as a fan and as a person.  Some of them are human interest stories, others are when people do the right thing.  That’s what the Kraft family has opted to do this weekend in honor of Veteran’s day.  I felt this needed to be shared with our readers, and I trust you can appreciate the following.

We must applaud what the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills and the corporate sponsors involved are doing for Sunday’s game.  Although it may be just a small gesture, it is an important one. The organizations will recognize two veterans of the Iraq war, along with those who have served this country in other conflicts before the game on Sunday in honor of veterans’ day.

Here is a bit from the Patriots press release.

Before the nation pauses to remember the service of veterans everywhere on Tuesday, November 11, the New England Patriots will honor America’s soldiers past and present with a salute to the military before Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills. The Kraft family has selected two war veterans, Pfc. Sean Bannon from Winthrop, Mass. and Sgt. James Hackemer from Gowanda, N.Y., to serve as honorary captains for the game. Both soldiers were critically injured while serving their country in Iraq and continue to receive treatment at Spaulding Rehabilitation in Boston. The soldiers will be introduced to nearly 70,000 Patriots fans prior to the game and will join the Patriots and Buffalo Bills team captains at midfield for the opening coin toss.

In addition, the Patriots will honor one of their long-time employees, George Boyajian, who is 85-years young. Boyajian is a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War and has been a fixture with the Patriots in Foxborough for the last 22 years. The Patriots will also recognize his service during pregame ceremonies on the field just prior to the presentation of the color guards and national anthem. 

Both veterans being honored have been treated at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, a center designed  to help veterans through a difficult recovery and rehab period.

The following is additional information on the two soldiers from the Spaulding Center (www.spauldingrehab.org):

The New England Patriots will honor two wounded warriors PFC, Sean Bannon of Winthrop MA, and Sgt. James Hackemer of Gowanda New York as honorary team captains prior to the Buffalo Bills versus New England Patriots game Sunday 11/9 at 1 p.m. Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital treated both soldiers and their doctors, Spaulding’s VP of medicine Dr. Ross Zafonte and Traumatic Brain Injury Program Director Dr. Heechin Chae will join them on the field as part of the ceremony.

Sean Bannon was critically wounded by an IED in Iraq. He has spent a month at Walter Reed Military Hospital in Washington, D.C before being transferred to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital to continue his recovery. Sean received a Purple Heart on April 21, Patriots Day, at Fenway Park presented to him by Senator John Kerry.

In March 2008, Army Sgt. James Hackemer was leading a patrol in his unit’s armored vehicle outside of Baghdad when a road side bomb exploded directly under their vehicle. Two soldiers were killed instantly. Sgt. Hackemer lost both legs and suffered a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). With only 28 units of blood circulating in the human body, he lost 25 units. The others in his unit quickly moved in and immediately began to triage James on site until a helicopter could airlift him out. Clinging to life in a coma, James was rushed to a battlefield hospital where he was stabilized enough to be sent to the main medical facilities in Germany. He was transferred to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital where he currently is in an intensive rehabilitation program.

Spaulding is proud to be a collaborator and resource with the military to treat these complex cases. Spaulding is the first hospital in New England and only one of a handful nationwide authorized to treat soldiers.  “Spaulding is honored to be part of this event with the Patriots and the National Football League in honoring all our returning heroes. We thank the Patriots and the Kraft family for their unwavering support of our wounded warriors,” said Spaulding spokesman Tim Sullivan.

The Patriots, along with the assistance and support of the Ratheon Corporation will host 60 other service men and women from the Massachusetts Army National Guard on Sunday.

Veterans Day is November 11th.

Thank you to all who have served. We are indebted to each of you.

God Bless you all.