CRANSTON - - Major General Reginald A. Centracchio, The Adjutant General of Rhode Island and the Commanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard, announced today that on Sunday, 18 January 2004, 45 members of the Rhode Island National Guard will join other National Guard troops from Connecticut and Massachusetts at the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. These troops will attend the game in recognition of their service to their country.
The tickets were donated by the NFL and the New England Patriots through Operation Tribute to Freedom, a continuing campaign to ensure members of the U.S. Armed Forces are recognized by the American people for their accomplishments and sacrifices. Operation Tribute to Freedom, which is based at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., distributed the tickets to a PRE-SELECTED list of service members in the Southern New England area.
Additionally, 25 members from both the Rhode Island and Connecticut National Guard will hold a gigantic American flag on the field during the National Anthem. "This is an outstanding and well deserved honor for our troops," stated MG Centracchio. "We are grateful to both the NFL, the New England Patriots and Operation Tribute to Freedom for their generous efforts in recognizing the sacrifices our troops make on behalf of all of us!"
