By Ashley Marshall, USTAFoundation.com
The US Open is known for its trademark blue and green courts, but Labor Day was all about the red, white and blue as American service members and veterans were honored during the fourth annual Military Appreciation Day.
As part of the USTA Foundation’s military outreach initiative, the Open acknowledged the service members for their sacrifice, bravery and courage in the line of duty and treated them to a day of tennis in a luxury suite inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Military support organization Semper Fi Fund sponsored a group of wounded soldiers and veterans who were honored during an in-stadium ceremony, and five patriots participated in ceremonial coin tosses before each of the matches inside Ashe.
The military contingent recognized on Monday hailed from different branches from around the country and included army sergeant Ryan McIntosh, who is serving as a ball person for the second time at the US Open.
In support of the day’s celebration, Chase, a US Open sponsor, provided tickets to the USTA Foundation to be distributed to various military affiliated organizations to attend Military Appreciation Day, including USO New York, Naval Weapons Station Earle, the U.S. Coast Guard and attendees from this year’s “Warrior and Family Tennis Days” hosted by USTA Foundation and Johnson and Johnson.
“Military Appreciation Day at the US Open is truly one the best annual traditions at the tournament, and we’re thrilled to honor those who have bravely sacrificed for our country,” said USTA Foundation Executive Director Dan Faber.
“The USTA Foundation is proud to partner with Semper Fi Fund and Chase to bring a great day of tennis to many of our nation’s military service men, women, veterans and their families. We are also honored to offer year-round tennis initiatives and programs to reach, support and provide services to our heroes.”
The USTA Foundation is committed to providing an opportunity for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans and their families to use the sport of tennis to help integrate back into their communities and with their families. To date, more than 200,000 service members and their families have been impacted by the USTA Foundation’s military initiative.