INTRUST BANK ARENA, Wichita, Kan.— Thirty active and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces participated in an inter-service hockey February 11, 2017.
“This event started last year,” said Marine Capt. Alex Steitz, commander of Detachment 2 Maintenance.
The game first took place at the Wichita Ice Center, he said.
“We asked the Wichita Thunder, and they said that if it got enough attention, they’d support us having the game at Intrust,” explained Steitz.
He explained that the event was meant as a fundraiser for Toys for Tots, as well as to bring visibility of the servicemembers within the Wichita community.
“The more support we get, the more support we can give,” said Steitz.
The game also allows members of the military branches and different duty statuses to interact.
“We all make fun of each other, but at the end of the day, we’re all brothers and sisters,” said Air Force Senior Airman Derek Simkins, a communications airman stationed at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas.
Simkins, a Buffalo, New York native, said that playing hockey with other services is a good way to build camaraderie across branches.
“It really does bring us together,” he said.
The servicememebers involved in the game are also hosting a for free skate at the Wichita Ice Center to encourage people to try out ice skating, February 25, 2017.