Washington Capitals Host Wounded Warriors on Veterans Day

More than 50 wounded warriors and their Families headed to the Verizon Center on Wednesday to spend Veterans Day watching the Washington Capitals take on the New York Islanders. The event was sponsored by the USO and Microsoft, as part of their ‘‘Salute to Our Troops” program.

Soldiers were invited to a pre-game reception, where they were treated to free food and drinks, and were given Capitals jerseys and other merchandise.

‘‘It’s good to get out of the hospital for a change,” said Marine Sgt. Michael Richards. ‘‘Normally someone my age wouldn’t get a chance to hang out in a suite like this, so it definitely shows us how appreciated we are.”

The Salute to Our Troops program started this week with the trip to the Verizon Center, and will continue throughout the holiday season. The Fisher House in Bethesda will get a holiday makeover Dec. 5, and 8,200 service members are invited to see the Rockettes at the Verizon Center for free Dec. 20.

‘‘This is our chance to give back to all of you, and to thank you for your support and sacrifice,” said. John Marselles, chairman of USO-Metro.

Dr. Joseph Westphal, Undersecretary of the Army, also spoke at the event, also thanking the veterans for sacrificing for their country.

‘‘We think often of the sacrifices you all are continuing to make on behalf of America, and we are truly grateful,” Westphal said.

After he spoke, Westphal gave each service member present his coin and personally thanked them.

Teresa Carlson, vice president of Microsoft Federal, also spoke at the event, and she started by asking for a moment of silence to remember the victims of the shooting at Fort Hood. She also invited all service members present to the upcoming Salute to Our Troops events.

Afterwards, she said she was very happy with the turnout to the game.

‘‘I’m thrilled that 55 wounded warriors and their Families could make it out here tonight,” Carlson said. ‘‘An event like this is small enough that everyone can feel appreciated, but we’re glad it could be a special evening for everyone.”

It was a special evening to watch hockey, as the Capitals won in a thrilling shootout, 5-4.

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Horne, director of Human Resources Policy directorate, told the service members present that they should be proud of themselves for deciding to stand up and fight for their country.

‘‘It’s been said that the two greatest days one can have is the day they’re born, and the day they find their purpose,” Horne said. ‘‘the [ service members] here have found their purpose, they stand for something larger than themselves.”