David and Donna Gray love the Pensacola Ice Flyers almost as much they love each other. For that reason, David Gray wanted to do something special for his wife at the Ice Flyers first home game in franchise history Friday night, November 6, 2009; something special because he will be missing the majority of the Ice Flyers' season.David Gray is in the Navy, deployed in the Indian Ocean, and won't return to Pensacola for good until August of 2010. He and his wife have only been married since February of 2008, and David has been gone all but eight months since that time.
To compensate for his absence, David wanted to send flowers to his wife via the Ice Flyers. "I was hoping you could maybe do something special for her while she is down there on the ice during the opening ceremonies," David asked. "Perhaps thank her on my behalf for putting up with my being away again."
David wanted to send roses, and so asked for the address of the Civic Center where the flowers might be sent. That's when Ice Flyers owner Tim Kerr stepped in.
The Founders Club member didn't even have to send the roses, because Kerr decided to purchase the roses on his own. "I think it's a great story," Kerr explained. "This gentleman wants to honor his wife while he's in the middle of the Indian Ocean. He's a huge hockey fan and is happy to see hockey back in Pensacola. He wants to thank his wife for putting up with him being gone. We look forward to helping him out tonight."
Kerr not only picked up some roses, but a gift basket as well, and the two will be presented to Mrs. Gray on the ice tonight.
While the two Grays may be halfway across the world from each other, the game of hockey has made that world just a little bit smaller, and a little bit closer.
"I would really appreciate it and although she might cry," David wrote, "I think Donna would like it too."
We hope so too, and look forward to seeing her reaction at center ice tonight when the Ice Flyers play their Inaugural home opener this evening at 7:05.
Stop by and see how hockey brings a husband and wife together across oceans.
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