Everyone is invited to the Groton Arena on Feb. 2 to watch the Groton Tigers take on the Deuel Cardinals in both girls and boys basketball and to show your support for active duty military and veterans. Our dress up theme for the night is Camo or Red, White, and Blue. Active duty personnel and veterans will be admitted FREE to the doubleheader.
There will be many veteran service organizations set up to provide current information on veteran benefits and some organizations that advocate for veterans, educate citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, citizenship, peace and security.
SFC Brent Wienk, SDANG Senior Recruiter, will be present to answer student body questions about joining the military. We may even have a Drill Sgt. in the house ready to give potential recruits some basic training drills.
Veterans and active military can sign up for chances to win gift cards at the American Legion Auxiliary booth. Everyone is encouraged to find the card booth to create cards for the Army National Guard unit currently mobilized for their deployment to the Middle East and lastly, everyone is invited to donate money to DTOM Veterans Ranch.
According to the DTOM Veterans Ranch website, "The Mission of the DTOM 22/0 Foundation and Veterans Ranch is to provide a safe place for healing and recovery for military service members, veterans, and their families while encouraging engaging, and positively impacting their lives through hope, self-conviction, and family activities, while helping them learn to live again with purpose. Vision: To end suicide among our service men and women, through mentorship, support, and building stronger families. Chris Reder is the CEO and Founder and the MRMS Program was founded by Dr. Tracy Diefenbach, and is currently practiced at the DTOM Veterans Ranch. This program is an innovative, scientific-based Neural Oscillation Excitability and Sensory Recovery program that focuses on healing components of the brain's processing and function command centers." You can find out more information at this event or by going to https://dtom220.org/.
Please plan to cheer on your favorite basketball team and groove to the pep band! Then show your support to active military and veterans by wearing Red, White, Blue or Camo, giving a cash donation to DTOM Ranch, participating in making cards for active duty soldiers, and learning about the organizations that support our active military and veterans, and joining in their programs.