Members of the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals visited Andrews Air Force Base on Tuesday, November 13, 2007. The players, coaches and dance team members served a pre-holiday meal and also visit wounded heroes returning to the United States from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Attending for the Wizards were Brendan Haywood, Dominic McGuire, Nick Young and Andray Blatche along with Assistant Coach Randy Ayers and Wizards Dance Team Member Kristena.

From the beginning of the event the Wizards were enjoying their time and experience with the troops, as all the volunteers took an active part with Brendan Haywood even taking over as the grill master for the pre-holiday meal. Following the meal the players signed autographs and had the opportunity to speak with all the troops in attendance.

“This is great, the support that the Wizards have given us to come out here and to support the younger troops," said Senior Master Sergeant Gidget Crudup. "It was very surprising, very unique, we’ve never had anything done like this before so it was very nice.”

Following the meal, the Wizards visited wounded soldiers at the Aeromedical Staging Facility at Malcolm Grow Medical Center.

"To have Wizards and the Caps here to meet the (troops) is really a nice thing," said Red Cross Volunteer, Jim Shumner. "It’s important for the troops coming back to realize people appreciate what they are doing. That they aren’t out there all alone… and people are glad to see them when they come back.”

While the experience was a great one for all parties involved, for one Wizards member, the experience brought her back to her childhood and helped everyone understand the importance of supporting the troops that fight for our freedom everyday.

“It kind of hits home for me," said Kristena. "My father is a veteran in the Navy, so I know exactly how the families feel when they find out their son or daughter, husband or wife is injured and they are coming back home. These men and woman give their lives to their country for us, so I feel like I am doing a service to them by welcoming them home.”