The Cheyenne Stampede will be honoring the United States Military the weekend of Nov. 9 while hosting the Texas Brahmas for Military Appreciation Weekend. The Stampede has teamed up with the Wyoming Army National Guard to show respect to the men and women who serve in the military.
On Nov. 9, the Stampede will be taking to the ice in customized camouflage uniforms, which serve to represent all of the military. These jerseys will be auctioned off the following week, with all the proceeds going to local military charities to help families in the Cheyenne community. The jerseys are just a small part of the weekend festivities though, as several high ranking dignitaries from the Air Force, the Wyoming Army National Guard, and the Wyoming Air National Guard. Brigadier General Steve Mount will conduct the ceremonial puck drop to start the weekend’s games. The Cheyenne Ice and Events Center will also serve as a home for several military vehicles, including two armored HMMWVs, as well as a wrapped HMMWV. 2 Guard recruiters will be at the rink as well to speak with anyone interested in the joining the military. In addition, there will be almost 200 plus tickets given away for free to military personnel.
The Stampede has been working with Sergeant First Class Paul Peterson, as well as Major Deb Mutter to not only help support the military, but the families of those in the armed forces. Peterson said that the Guard is thrilled to be a part of the weekend’s festivities, as well as the primary sponsor of the Cheyenne Stampede. Citing community involvement, the Guard hopes to raise awareness of how they serve, as well as to help the Stampede, who is also heavily involved within the Cheyenne community.
Mutter, who is in the Guard herself, is also a hockey mom with both a son who plays as well as a billet mom for the Stampede, acted as an unofficial liaison to help set up the weekend. The plans for military appreciation weekend have been almost a year in the making. Mutter was at the forefront of helping organize the weekend.
While the military will be a significant part of the weekend, there will also be hockey played. The Cheyenne Stampede will be hosting the Texas Brahmas for the second home series of the weekend. The Stampede will be playing a three game road series Nov. 2-4 against the New Mexico Renegades, before returning home to play the Brahmas for the military appreciation series.
Tickets for the Brahmas weekend series are selling at a “Feverish Pitch”, according to Mark Lantz, GM of the Cheyenne Stampede and he is forecasting a “Complete Sell-Out” of the arena. Warm-ups start at 7:00PM and it is recommended that fans get there early for all the festivities.
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Story by Matthew Humphrey, Stampede Staff Writer