HONOLULU (NNS) -- Service members from the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Army and Air Force faced off against each other in the inaugural Wounded Warriors Charity Hockey Game Aug. 29 at Honolulu's Ice Palace skating rink.
The purpose of the game was to promote awareness of the Wounded Warrior program in Hawaii, as well as helping to raise money for the services it provides to Wounded Warriors.
"Today's game is all about giving back to those that have sacrificed for their country," said Master-at-Arms 1st Class David Taylor, the event organizer currently assigned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. "All the money that is taken in will directly help those that need it."
The hockey game featured USA Blue, consisting of service members from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, facing off against USA White, comprised of Soldiers and Airmen from the Army and Air Force.
Players on both teams generously volunteered their time to perform in the game and pay tribute to their fellow service members wounded in the line of duty.
"This is such a great event and a great opportunity," said Army Sgt. Spencer Wellmen, of the 13th Military Police Detachment. "To know that I am making a difference and helping to give back to my fellow service members is such an honor."
While there was fierce action on the ice, the competition was just as intense off the ice where spectators participated in a silent auction and bid on donated items to help raise money for the Wounded Warrior program.
"We received outstanding support from the local USO and the National Hockey League (NHL)," said Taylor. "Both the USO and the NHL have been very giving in the items that they donated to be used in the silent auction. With their support we will be able to reach our goal of raising $10,000 tonight."
The support and excitement toward the players and the event could be seen everywhere, as the crowd cheered their respective teams on to victory.
"I am excited to be here tonight for the game," said Navy Rear Adm. Jonathan Yuen, deputy chief of staff for logistics, fleet supply and ordnance, U.S. Pacific Fleet. "Walking in tonight you could feel the excitement from everyone that was waiting to get in."
Aside from the excitement of the night's fundraising activities, spectators thrilled to the back and forth action of the game with the Army/Air Force team eventually beating the sea services 5-3.
"Tonight was a huge success in all areas," said Taylor. "So far tonight we have raised well over our goal of $10,000, and there are still donations coming in from all the people that have opened their hearts and shown support for the Wound Warrior Program."
The Wounded Warriors Charity Hockey Game is scheduled to continue as an annual event to be held at the Ice Palace in Honolulu.
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