CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings join parade, picnic to honor soldiers

Published on August 18, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN—Memphis RiverKings mascots Sheldon and RiverThing will join local citizens, the Hernando Chamber of Commerce and the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi on Thursday, August 19 in hosting a send-off parade and picnic for DeSoto County's troops headed to Iraq.

After a private family dinner hosted by the Community Foundation for the soldiers and their families at the National Guard Armory, 150 deployed National Guard troops along with high school bands will take part in a parade starting at 6 p.m. on Commerce Street in Hernando and ending at the courthouse square.

Each individual soldier will be recognized during a barbecue pork picnic and rally on the Square lawn after the parade, where children and families can visit with the RiverKings mascots. Additionally, local citizens can get 1,500 barbecue sandwiches and drinks on a first-come, first-serve basis in return for a small donation to buy more phone cards for the troops to call home from Iraq.

"Our main concern is for the soldiers and their families," Community Foundation Director Tom Pittman said. "Our mission at the Foundation is to connect people who care with causes that matter, and nothing is more important to the local community than the safety and comfort of their loved ones as they enter the war zone."

The Community Foundation recently established a National Guard Fund to provide phone cards for the soldiers to help them keep in contact with their families while in Iraq. A $1,000 donation will buy enough minutes to allow each soldier one minute each month of talk time from Iraq. Donations from the rally will also go into the fund.

"We are very happy to receive donations on behalf of the men and women in Iraq," Pittman said. "It's the least we can do in return for their service."

To donate to the National Guard Fund, call the Community Foundation at 662-449-5002.

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