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AA St. Paul Saints

Saints to connect Minnesota soldiers with their families Friday night

July 3, 2006 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN - The St. Paul Saints are extending the Independence Day celebration to the weekend. The St. Saints are teaming up with TDS Metrocom and the Minnesota Military Family Foundation to host a tribute to America's soldiers before and after the team's July 7 game with Lincoln.

At approximately 7:00 p.m., a live, real-time connection is scheduled to occur between Iraq and Midway Stadium in St. Paul. As part of the pre-game ceremonies, four Congressional of Medal Honor recipients will be on hand to join the families in conversations with some Minnesotans who are serving overseas. In addition, fans will be able to contact members of the military via the internet through a special connection set up in the concourse of the stadium. "We are honored to be part of this special event," said Derek Sharrer, St. Paul Executive Vice President/General Manager. "I can't begin to imagine how powerful it will be to see American heroes from the past connect with American heroes of today."

The video contact is being set up by Freedom Calls Foundation, a non-profit foundation that works with soldiers based overseas to keep in contact with their families.

The first 2500 fans into Midway Stadium will receive a replicate Congressional Medal of Honor. At this game, the Saints have created a special seating area on the outfield warning track for military representatives and their families. Any fair ball hit into this area during the game will be ruled a ground rule double.

When the Saints take the field at the start of the game, the players will be wearing a jersey specially designed for the game by eight-year old Kathy Vang, a St. Paul resident who entered the Saints' design-a-jersey contest earlier this year. The jerseys will be autographed by Saints' players and will be sold during a silent auction at the game. The money raised will be donated to the Minnesota Military Foundation, which distributes funds to Minnesota military personnel during times of financial hardship.

After the game, a special memorial will take place in remembrance of Minnesota's fallen heroes followed by the largest fireworks display of the season, sponsored by TDS Metrocom.

The Military Appreciation celebration is made possible thanks to the support of TDS Metrocom, TM Marketing, Hilton Garden Inn - Eagan, Equity Services of St. Paul, Infra Support Corp., M:Space, Green Mill - Eagan and Freedom Calls Foundation.

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