Per Phil Perry of CSNNE.com, on the eve of Veteran’s Day, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft held a ceremony inside Gillette Stadium overlooking the home field. The reason for the ceremony is to dedicate a black seat that will be left permanently unoccupied to honor American POW/MIA’s.
“What an exciting day,” said Patriots owner Robert Kraft. “Thank you all for coming here today. This is pretty cool and just another small way we have a chance to support all the great military folks who do so many great things for this country and in many ways are still under-appreciated in my opinion.”
Also on hand for the dedication ceremony were former Patriots and military veterans Gino Cappelletti and Tom Yewcic. Cappelletti served in the Army from 1956-58 as an artillery specialist. Yewcic served as an Army lieutenant from 1955-57.
Gillette Stadium is the first major professional sports venue to dedicate a seat in recognition of POW/MIAs, but let’s hope it’s only a matter of time before a dedication of this type is implemented at every stadium in professional and college sports.
