Lightning to honor veterans on Military Appreciation Night

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Veterans will get a warm welcome on the ice Thursday when the Tampa Bay Lightning hold their annual Military Appreciation Night event.

The stands will be filled with veterans as the Bolts take on the Islanders.  The team's Seats for Service program and its partners are hosting 2,500 service members and their families for this and other upcoming games.

The Lightning will hit the ice in special camouflage warm-up jerseys that will later be auctioned off to benefit military charities through the Lightning Foundation.  Several veterans -- including a retired Marine who served in World War II and Korea -- will be honored on the ice, and Tampa's own CENTCOM and SOCOM will both also play a role.

Later, a Marine enlistment ceremony will be conducted on the ice, and an injured veteran will be awarded a new mortgage-free home -- the 11th presented by the team and Chase.

If you're heading to the game anytime the rest of the month, you can take a moment to thank veterans who are currently deployed.  Tables will be set up inside Amalie Arena where fans can sign holiday cards for troops.

Thursday's game against the N.Y. Islanders starts at 7:30.