COLUMBUS, Ga. — The Columbus River Dragons hockey team, along with sponsor Air Force Heating & Air, a residential HVAC contracting company, honored men and women in the armed services before a sold-out crowd during Military Appreciation Night earlier this month.

A ceremony with soldiers from the U.S. Army’s Ranger rappelling team from Alpha Company, 4^th Ranger Training Battalion, based at Fort Moore in Georgia, rappelled during opening ceremonies.

A moment of silence was held in honor of the Army Reserve soldiers killed in Jordan during a drone strike in January, Staff Sgt. William J. Rivers, Sgt. Kennedy L. Sanders, and Sgt. Breonna A. Moffett, as well as all of those in harm’s way, those who defend the country, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Rivers, Sanders, and Moffett were all assigned to an engineering battalion based at Fort Moore.

The invocation was provided by Maj. Wallace Jackson, a chaplain from the 4th Ranger Training Battalion. The color guard from Alpha Company and 4th Ranger Training Battalion presented the colors. The National Anthem was performed by the Military Center of Excellence Trumpet Ensemble. Lt. Col. Michael Venafro did the puck drop. 

There were 476 trainees bused from Fort Moore to attend the game, and 4,000 vouchers for military families to redeem for tickets were also distributed.