MIAMI, November 6– In observance of Veterans Day 2013, the Miami HEAT will continue its existing tradition of honoring the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces by wearing special NBA Cares Hoops for Troops shooting shirts, headbands, wristbands and socks created by adidas during the home games on November 7th and November 9th. HEAT coaches will also pay tribute to the military by wearing NBA Cares Hoops for Troops lapel pins.
NBA Cares Hoops for Troops Veterans Day is a league-wide program which salutes active and retired service men and women and their families for their continued service and sacrifice.
Additionally, HEAT President Pat Riley, HEAT Legend Alonzo Mourning, HEAT Assistant Coach Dan Craig and HEAT players Ray Allen and Udonis Haslem will host a special Veterans Day clinic as part of the HEAT Youth Basketball Program, presented by Gatorade, on November 11th at United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) headquarters in Doral. One hundred and fifty children from various U.S. Armed Services affiliated with SOUTHCOM will participate in the clinic.
Honoring the military is a top priority for the Miami HEAT. In 2006, Riley launched the HEAT Home Strong initiative, an on-going program where members of the U.S. Military who have returned home are saluted during every HEAT home game. The mission of the Home Strong initiative is to give aid, support and recognition to any person who has been in harm’s way during their military service. Home Strong is presented by C1 Bank.
Most recently, the HEAT has partnered with GovX, the leading website dedicated to providing those who protect and serve our country and communities with exclusive, significant savings on sports and event ticketing and thousands of premium products. GovX will soon be providing specially priced HEAT tickets exclusively to this deserving group including active, reserve, veteran and retired U.S. Military personnel as well as first responders. In addition, GovX has purchased hundreds of HEAT tickets, which it will donate to local military service members, first responders and their families throughout the 2013-14 season, including the military families of SOUTHCOM who will participate in the Veterans Day clinic. GovX is also proud to sponsor the presentation of the Color Guard at 20 home games this season.