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76ers host the Bulls and Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zachary Cacicia
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PHILADELPHIA --  When most think of a Bulls versus Sixers game, the first thing to come to mind is a matchup between the legends, Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson. Though this did not happen at these teams' last game, current stars like Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah of the Bulls and Michael Carter-Williams and Nerlens Noel of the 76ers were able to give hundreds of military service members a real show.

The Philadelphia 76ers not only hosted their Conference rivals, the Chicago Bulls, they also accommodated military service members as part of the National Basketball Association's "Commitment to Service" program Nov. 7, 2014, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

"It was awesome," said Senior Airman Brady O'Neill, 436th Comptroller Squadron financial analyst. "The fact that the NBA and the Sixers were willing to have us here and to show their support for us is awesome."

The 76ers organization provided free tickets to hundreds of service members from local military instillations, including Dover Air Force Base, Delaware and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. This was in support of the NBA's "Commitment to Service" program, a collaboration between the NBA, USA Basketball and the Department of Defense.

During an August press conference, Adam Silver, NBA commissioner, and Gen. Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed the relationship.

"All 30 teams are now involved in it, and in face, around the Veterans Day this season," said Silver. "All of our teams have commitments to work together with military bases in their communities."

Dempsey, elaborated.

"I like to think that this partnership -- and that's what it is, is a partnership -- brings together members of the best military in the world with members of the best basketball teams in the world," said Dempsey.

It was the first NBA game for Airman 1st Class Karla Montes, 436th Dental Squadron dental assistant, one of the Team Dover Airmen who attended.

"I've been to a couple of college games," said Montes. "But being able to come to a professional game is just awesome."

Service members from every branch took part in pregame events, such as holding a large American flag during the singing of the "Star Spangled Banner."

Master Sgt. Kendall Tyus, 436th Airlift Wing Administration Office superintendent, took advantage of the free tickets offered by the 76ers to take his son, Kendall, to the game to see his favorite team play, the Bulls.

"I really wasn't rooting for either team, but my son likes the Bulls," said Tyus. "I enjoyed it and my son loved it."