Miami Heat to Honor Military for Veterans Day

Heat to salute military during Nov. 7 and 9 games and host Veterans Day clinic for 150 local military families

In observance of Veterans Day, the Miami Heat announced Wednesday it will honor the men and women of the United States armed forces by wearing special NBA Cares Hoops for Troops shooting shirts, headbands, wristbands and socks created by Adidas during their home games on Thursday and Saturday.

Heat coaches will also pay tribute to the military by wearing NBA Cares Hoops for Troops lapel pins.

NBA Cares Hoops for Troops Veterans Day is a league-wide program which salutes active and retired servicemen and women and their families for their continued service and sacrifice.

Additionally, Heat President Pat Riley, executive and former player Alonzo Mourning, assistant coach Dan Craig and players Ray Allen and Udonis Haslem will host a special Veterans Day clinic as part of the Heat Youth Basketball Program on Nov. 11 at United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) headquarters in Doral. One hundred and fifty children from various U.S. armed services affiliated with SOUTHCOM will participate in the clinic.

"Honoring the military is a top priority for the Miami Heat," the team said in a press release. "In 2006, Riley launched the Heat Home Strong initiative, an ongoing program where members of the U.S. military who have returned home are saluted during every Heat home game. The mission of the Home Strong initiative is to give aid, support and recognition to any person who has been in harm’s way during their military service."

Most recently, the Heat has partnered with GovX, the leading website dedicated to providing those who protect and serve our country and communities with exclusive, significant savings on sports and event ticketing and thousands of premium products.

GovX will soon be providing specially priced Heat tickets to active, reserve, veteran and retired U.S. military personnel as well as first responders. In addition, GovX has purchased hundreds of Heat tickets, which it will donate to local military service members, first responders and their families throughout the 2013-14 season, including the military families of SOUTHCOM who will participate in the Veterans Day clinic.

GovX is also sponsoring the presentation of the Color Guard at 20 home games this season.

The Heat host the Los Angeles Clippers at AmericanAirlines Arena on Thursday, and the Boston Celtics on Saturday.

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