Railers to honor military families, including family of late Northborough soldier

WORCESTER — A night out at a Railers game can be a good time: You have the game itself, of course, but there is also often music and other events — including the occasional pie-eating contest — that can make for a fun and unpredictable evening.

Once in a while, though, something a tad more meaningful happens, such as this Saturday, when Worcester’s pro hockey team and Berkshire Bank present a Military Appreciation night.

“It's a special night,” says Stephanie Ramey, president of the Worcester Railers HC, in a phone conversation. “Our military our veterans and our Gold and Blue Star families, they deserve an opportunity to be shown appreciation, even outside the typical holidays that happen throughout the year.”

A Gold Star Family is a family which has lost a member during a war. A Blue Star Family is one who has a member serving during a military conflict. According to Ramey, there will be recognitions of fallen soldiers from Central Mass. and their families throughout the night, including Leslie Arsenault of Northborough, whose son, U.S. Army Specialist Brian K. Arsenault, died in Afghanistan in 2014.   More than 1,000 tickets were donated by sponsors for active and reserve military, veterans, Gold and Blue star Families and their immediate families, according to information provided by the Railers.

“This an opportunity for us to do something special for these families,” says Ramey, “and we're fortunate that we have generous partners that have stepped up and contributed a significant number of tickets to allow these families to attend at no cost.”

In addition to tributes, the event will feature the Singing Trooper, Daniel M. Clark performing the national anthem and a rendition of Lee Greenwood’s, “God Bless the USA,” as well as VIP in-game hosting from radio personality Mistress Carrie of The Pike and Marine Corps veteran and Nash Icon personality Dave O’Gara, joining regular joining Railers host and Nash Icon personality, Adam Webster.

Oh … and there’s also a hockey game happening, as the Railers take on the Adirondack Thunder. It promises to be a fun night, but also a poignant one.

The Railers Military Appreciation Night will begin at 7:05 p.m. April 1 at the DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester. For ticket information, visit https://railershc.com.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Railers set to honor gold star families at Military Appreciation Night