Philly Sports Teams & Toyota Salute Nation’s Heroes

PHILADELPHIA (November 1, 2024) — In honor of all United States Military veterans and service members, who defend the interests and security of our nation, the four Philadelphia sports teams are teaming up again with their 25 local Toyota Dealers to thank, honor, and “salute” the 18 million brave men and women who have served in the Nation’s military. The month-long, market-wide military appreciation campaign centered around Veterans Day Week includes joint public-service messaging from Philadelphia’s Flyers (NHL), 76ers (NBA), Eagles (NFL), and Phillies (MLB) expressing appreciation and support for the men and women of America’s Armed Forces.

This collaborative effort for “Military Appreciation Month” in November is part of the larger ongoing partnership the Tri-State Toyota Dealers have with Philadelphia’s major professional sports teams with efforts to recognize, honor and support those who are serving – and, have served – in the U.S. Military.

“The Tri-State Toyota Dealers are honored to join our Philadelphian sports team again in continued support of our active military and veterans here in the Delaware Valley,” said Paul Muller, President of the Tri-State Toyota Dealers Association. “These are our local service men and women to recognize and support and to be able to do that alongside all of our sports partners is a privilege. This unique collaboration with our sports teams to honor and thank the brave men and women who serve our country is purely ‘Philadelphian’, and we are so proud to take part,” Muller added.

The overall collaboration together with Toyota is part of each team’s individual efforts to “salute” active military members and honor veterans throughout the year.

“The Phillies are honored to once again join Toyota and our fellow sports teams as we tip our caps to the courageous men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our nation’s freedom,” said Jackie Cuddeback, Phillies Senior Vice President, Partnership Sales and Corporate Marketing. “Our veterans and active military members are heroes in every sense of the word, and we are so grateful for their service.”

A large part of the collaboration’s efforts in November will include honoring veterans and active members of the military during “military appreciation” games taking place at the Philadelphia Sports Complex throughout Veterans Day Week. The Philadelphia sports community’s kick-off to the 2024 military appreciation tributes occurs on Monday, November 11, at The Wells Fargo Center during the Flyers’ annual “Military Appreciation” game, presented by Toyota.

“For over a decade, the Flyers have been proud to partner with Toyota to support the brave men and women of our armed forces, and we’re looking forward to building on that tradition with this year’s Military Appreciation Game on November 11,” said Philadelphia Flyers Chief Revenue Officer Todd Glickman. “In addition to our year-round efforts to support and recognize our service members, this game is one way we can say ‘thank you’ and host a wonderful celebration of active service members, veterans, and their families.”

This effort continues Wednesday, November 13 at the Wells Fargo Center for the Sixers “Stars & Stripes” game presented by Toyota.

“We look forward to teaming up with our long-time partner, the Tri-State Toyota Dealers, and the other Philadelphia professional sports teams to recognize the brave men and women who serve our country during Military Appreciation Month and all season long," said Owen Morin, 76ers SVP, Corporate Partnerships. “Honoring our active military and veterans is one of our shared missions with Toyota, and together, we are proud to participate in various initiatives, including our 76ers Day of Service on Battleship New Jersey.”

And the “military appreciation” initiatives will conclude with Toyota-sponsored events at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday, November 14 for the Eagles “Salute to Service” game.

“We are proud to pay tribute to the men and women who courageously serve our country each and every day,” said Don Smolenski, Philadelphia Eagles President. “Recognizing our active-duty service members and veterans is a year-round commitment for us, but we especially look forward to shining a much-deserved light on them every year at our annual Salute to Service game presented by Toyota.”

Each of these Philadelphia professional sports teams are deeply involved in their communities, supporting veterans and active military members. As a part of those activities, each team supports Toyota’s efforts to highlight the Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) program from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

During all three military appreciation games in November, the Philadelphia Flyers, 76ers, and Eagles will recognize honored veterans who are also HOH Ambassadors: U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Clint Romesha (Ret.); U.S. Army senior noncommissioned officer John Wayne Troxell (Ret.); and U.S. Marine Sergeant Dakota Meyer (Ret.).

Collectively representing our Nation’s armed services, all three of these honored veterans will be recognized for their work as Hiring Our Heroes Ambassadors helping veterans, service personnel and military spouses to find meaningful jobs and careers once they return to civilian life.

Hiring Our Heroes is an important program helping to enable those brave men and women who have served with tools and opportunities to translate their valuable skills and experience back into civilian life, including the Drive Your Future Initiative championed by Medal of Honor Recipient and HOH Brand Ambassador, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Clint Romesha (Ret.).

“Military families serve alongside their service members and, together, they experience the opportunities and challenges of transitioning to civilian life,” said Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha, U.S. Army. “The collaboration between Toyota and Hiring Our Heroes helps ensure transitioning families can seize opportunities, overcome challenges, and ultimately thrive after returning home. Initiatives like HOH's veteran and military spouse hiring events are making successful transitions a reality.”

John Wayne Troxell is a retired United States Army senior noncommissioned officer who served as the third Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In this capacity he served as the principal advisor to the Chairman and the Secretary of Defense on all matters related to the troops of the United States Armed Forces to include the lethality, readiness, fitness, welfare and deployability of the force, as well as joint force development and education. Troxell joins Toyota initiative to champion the ongoing support of the military and veteran communities.

“Ensuring our veterans find right-fit jobs – jobs that use their skills and experience – after they leave service is good for veterans and good for the American workforce,” said John Wayne Troxell, retired U.S. Army senior noncommissioned officer. “The Army and Marine Corps were founded in Philadelphia, so there is no more appropriate place to honor veterans’ service and their contributions after service than right here in our hometown.”

Sergeant Dakota L. Meyer served in the United States Marine Corps. A veteran of the War in Afghanistan, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Ganjgal on 8 September 2009 in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. Meyer is the second-youngest living Medal of Honor recipient and the third living recipient for either the Iraq War or the War in Afghanistan.

“Leaving the military closes a chapter of service for veterans, but it’s not the end of their story,” states U.S. Marine Sgt. Meyer. “They return with a wealth of skills and experience that continue to positively impact their communities and careers. Together, we can ensure that our veterans and their families are able to access the resources and pathways that allow them – and by extension, America – to thrive.”

For over ten years, Toyota has partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on its Hiring Our Heroes initiative to help veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses by finding meaningful jobs.

“Toyota’s continued commitment to America’s heroes demonstrates how we can help mobilize a new beginning for these returning service members,” said John Mineweaser, General Manager of Toyota Motor North America’s Central Atlantic Region. “Hiring veterans is a great investment and we encourage every business to support those who have served.”

“As part of the overall ‘Toyota Family’, the support we place behind the Hiring Our Heroes program and the invaluable work Dakota, John, Clint, and so many others are doing to help our vets assimilate back into civilian life is one of the most-important things we do year-long as the local Toyota Dealers here in the Delaware and Lehigh Valleys,” said Paul Muller.

The Hiring Our Heroes program, championed in partnership with Toyota by Staff Sgt. Romesha, SEAC Troxell, and Sgt Meyer is an initiative that resonates with Philadelphia’s professional sports teams.

To support their mission, visit ResumeEngine.org, MyCareerSpark.org, and HiringOurHeroes.org to learn more about the Hiring Our Heroes program and how you may help and get involved. And, to support the military appreciation efforts from each of the Philadelphia sports teams, purchase tickets to the games honoring the brave men and women of the American Armed Forces.