The lights flashed on the police cruiser as it escorted the game’s guests of honor to Carter-Finley Stadium. A sea of red-clad fans cheered the arrival of the Marines from Wounded Warrior Battalion-East, Wounded Warrior Regiment, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Washington, D.C., and soldiers from the Wounded Warrior Transition Battalion, Fort Bragg, N. C.

The Marines and soldiers were given the star treatment. They stepped off the bus onto a red carpet, walking among high-spirited cheerleaders from North Carolina State University and listening to the music of the marching band that played as they were escorted to their seats.

It was Military Appreciation Day at N.C. State Sept. 15. However, N.C. State did not work alone to put this special event together for the wounded warriors of Camp Lejeune and Fort Bragg. Hope for the Warriors, a nonprofit organization, worked together with the university to make this day possible. The day’s events had been a long time in planning.

Frank Grant, a member of the board of directors for the organization, said the event’s planning started in June. The event began with an e-mail that resulted in several meetings between the school and Hope for the Warriors over the following months. The university really did an outstanding job of making this a truly special day for these Marines and soldiers, he added.

The wounded warriors were treated like royalty by the school. N. C. State provided food and drinks, and even had staff on hand to deliver the food to the Marines and soldiers who had difficulty walking.

After the initial fanfare of the entrance, Cpl. Michael Savoie, a machine gunner with Weapons Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, who is now attached to the battalion, was escorted onto the field to be part of the coin toss.

“Thursday morning I knew I was going to do the coin toss,” Savoie said. “I was excited and honored to be able to go up there. I was quite nervous at first, but I thought it was a great opportunity to be recognized in front of a large crowd.”

When the game began, the focus was on football. The Marines and soldiers cheered along with the hometown fans, feeling welcome and appreciated.

Hope for the Warriors had achieved its primary goals, which were recognition for the service members’ sacrifice and being able at the same time to lift the spirits of the Marines and soldiers. The organization hoped the break from the often harsh reality of their injuries would allow the soldiers to focus on more positive issues.

“We want these guys to not live among their circumstances, but to be able to rise above and know that their injuries do not have to be a roadblock to their lives,” said Amy Koury, the marketing director for the organization.

Although all of this took place at a football game, it could have happened anywhere. The idea was for the troops to bond with some of the organization’s members outside of the barracks.

“What can bring you closer together than hanging out at a football game?” asked Sofia Schwartz, a Team Wounded Warrior coordinator. “Especially since it’s not about work. It’s outside of work. It’s outside of everything else.”

Then the focus switched from the camaraderie of the game directly to the wounded warriors. The wounded warriors’ big moment came as they were escorted onto the field and lined up in the end zone, awaiting their time to shine. While they were waiting to be recognized, a special member of the N.C. State team, the mascot Mr. Wuf, visited the wounded warriors.

A few minutes later, the troops were called over the loudspeaker to step onto the field. The stadium erupted as fans screamed and clapped, giving their support to the Marines and soldiers.

“It was one of the most enthusiastic displays of support that I have seen in 25 years of service,” said Chief Warrant Officer Chris Hedgcorth, executive officer for Wounded Warriors Battalion-East. “The fans, players on both benches and the field were all standing and clapping that went on for quite awhile.”

Because of all the planning and hard work N.C. State and Hope for the Warriors put into the event, the game truly connected the crowd to these Marines and soldiers.

“When they were coming back up the steps everybody was applauding these young men and shaking their hands saying thank you,” Grant said. “It really brings tears to my eyes. It really does; the way everybody showed support for the Marines.”