On The Front Row: Military Members, Veterans Catch Hawks In Prime Seats
Fans stand for the national anthem before the Atlanta Hawks game on Wednesday at State Farm Arena.
As game time neared at State Farm Arena, Tyler Bowser and his wife Candace took their seats, on the front row, courtside.
“We’ve been close, but we’ve never been able to sit on the floor, so it’s pretty incredible,” he said.
After snapping a few selfies, they settled in. Bowser served in the Air Force in the late 1990s. He was wearing a Hawks jersey with his name on the back. The Hawks gave these uniforms to Bowser and more than 100 other veterans who were sitting courtside at Wednesday night’s game. Their seats were donated by Hawks’ season ticket holders.
“This is truly out of reach, out of my reach, a lot of guys and gals that are here tonight that I know that the Hawks invited, we’ve never had the opportunity to do this,” Mr. Bowser said. “So, it makes us feel super special to be down here.”
Bowser works with an organization that helps raise money for homeless veterans, so he knows the value first hand of feeling welcomed home and appreciated.
Richard Wilson is a veteran from a different era, having served in Korea. He admitted that he’s more of a football and soccer fan, but was excited to be at the Hawks game.
“This is phenomenal. I didn’t know what to expect, but it is way beyond what I thought it was going to be,” Wilson said.
Army Colonel Stephen Ruth, who spoke at a pre-game reception for the military members, also enjoyed interacting with Hawks fans he came across.
“For me, it’s an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to them. And they kind of look funny when I say ‘thank you’ to them because they think they’re the ones that are supposed to say ‘thank you’,” Ruth said. “But we’re the ones that have been entrusted as a leader, been entrusted with the lives of sons and daughters of America to take care of them.”
But most of the appreciation was directed toward members of the military; it was after all their night.
They were recognized on the video board throughout the game. A halftime ceremony included World War II veteran Earl Carlin.
The Hawks have now partnered four straight years with corporate sponsor Crown Royal for the event.
Hawks’ owner Jami Gertz said the night is an opportunity for the Atlanta community to say thank you to members of the military who served in war zones.
“What that does to you, physically, mentally, is something that most of us civilians will never know,” said Gertz. So if we at the Hawks organizations can give you a little 2 ½ hours of hard work and grit and grime out there on the basketball court, I’m grateful for that.”
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