Peewee Major Team to Participate in Patriots Challenge
08/26/11
By: Arnie Mascali

The teams will compete for the Patriots Challenge Cup - donated by the Mascali Family in honor of all the heroes of September 11th. Arnie Mascali's brother, Joe Mascali, was a New York City fireman, Rescue 5 Staten Island, NY that was killed that day while saving people at the World Trade Center. The weekend is more than hockey - each of the teams will be participating in community service projects leading up to the games. The Rockets have "adopted" an entire unit of combat soldiers in Afghanistan and are preparing "care packages" for them. The players want to express their appreciation and gratitude to the soldiers for their courageous service and sacrifice. The Hornets and Team Maryland are performing similar projects. The teams hope to teach the players the positive messages of patriotism, heroism and sacrifice that are the true enduring legacies of September 11th. 

Support for the tournament has been outstanding. The NHL has donated valuable items, such as signed Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin jerseys, to be auctioned at the tournament. Other items include an American flag that flew over the Capitol Building in Washington DC, and many other hockey memorabilia. Local and national media are doing segments on the event, including WFAN radio and NJ12 TV. Proceeds from all donations will go to the Wounded Warrior Project. The  WWP exists to honor and empower wounded warriors who incurred service-connected injures on or after September 11, 2001.  The tragic events of Sept. 11 are often the reason warriors say they felt a sense of duty to volunteer for the military. These individuals chose to defend our country, and that is why we honor them.

The Rockets Pee Wee Major team is proud to represent their organization in this tournament. We plan to continue this tradition in future years, rotating the site of the tournament amongst the three cities, and inviting others to participate.  

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