STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – You can throw out the records any time the varsity and junior varsity girls' soccer teams from Sterling Heights Stevenson and Henry Ford II meet on the field. But on Saturday, May 18, players will compete while honoring service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
On May 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., teams from Stevenson and Ford will play in the second annual Honoring Fallen Heroes soccer game at Stevenson's Runkel Field (39701 Dodge Park Road in Sterling Heights).
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Over the last six weeks, players from both teams researched Fallen Heroes from across Michigan and invited – via handwritten notes – Hero families to the game. They contacted more than 80 families.
During the game, each player will wear a unique jersey with their Hero's name printed on the back, a U.S. flag on the sleeve, and the associated branch of service patch on the front. This year, members from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines will be represented.
After the games, families will be invited to the field for a special ceremony where they will meet players for the first time and receive the actual game jerseys commemorating loved ones.
Players' parents coordinated the event through the Michigan chapter of Military Families United – the not-for-profit charitable organization whose mission is to "Honor the Fallen, Support Those Who Fight, and Serve Their Families."
"We are so proud of the Titan and Falcon players taking part in this heartwarming game," said Wendy Day, the event coordinator at the Army's Survivor Outreach Services. "Not only are these ladies paying tribute to our Nation's heroes, but this game makes an impression that will last a lifetime."
Tickets can be purchased at Runkel Field for just $5. Media and fans are invited to attend.
Locally, the Sterling Heights, Mich., Fire Department and Secure 24 made sizeable donations. Associates from the U.S. Army Detroit Arsenal are also volunteering support.