HAWKS AND CROWN ROYAL HONOR MILITARY PERSONNEL DURING FIFTH ANNUAL ‘CROWNING COURAGE’ EVENT
Military Personnel Were Featured in Wall of Gratitude and Honored Throughout the Game
ATLANTA – On Monday, for a fifth consecutive season, the Atlanta Hawks and Crown Royal joined together to honor active and retired military personnel and their guests at the club’s annual ‘Crowning Courage’ event. Earlier in the day, and as an expression of gratitude for their service, the Hawks put together a premium experience for active duty and retired military personnel to enjoy the team’s game against the Washington Wizards.
“While this year’s event was a bit different due to COVID-19, the Atlanta Hawks and Crown Royal remain forever grateful to the heroes of this country,” said Hawks CEO Steve Koonin. “We know that this event is just one way that we can say ‘thank you’ for the sacrifices made by these courageous men and women.”
As part of the experience, military personnel participated in a pregame virtual fan tunnel. Throughout various moments in the game, active duty personnel were displayed in a special Wall of Gratitude on the TV visible LED Spectacular board behind the player benches. In addition, veterans from United Military Care were provided two suites to enjoy the experience. United Military Care provides Georgia’s veterans with food, shelter and hope and continues to impact the community by working with any veteran, regardless of age.
Throughout the game, various videos highlighting two veterans and one active duty military member aired on the centerhung at State Farm Arena. These vignettes, featuring the Director of Women Veterans, Georgia Department of Veterans Service Veda Brooks, hip-hop artist and influencer K Shiday, and Josh Merry, active in the United States Army and long-time Hawks fan who is currently stationed in Kuwait. During the filming of Merry’s video, Hawks forward John Collins, whose mother and uncle served in the United States Air Force, surprised him. Atlanta Hawks Principal Owner Jami Gertz also provided a pregame speech welcoming all of the military in attendance.
“Generosity is at the heart of everything Crown Royal strives to do and there is no one more generous than our military heroes,” said Nicky Heckles, Vice President of Crown Royal. “We are thrilled to continue this partnership for the fifth year with the Atlanta Hawks to celebrate and honor active and retired military personnel.”
At halftime of the game, one woman from every military branch was recognized. In addition, Technical Sergeant Russell Fawcett, a WWII veteran was in attendance at the game and received a custom jersey with his name on the back. Additionally, he was gifted tickets to enjoy the game with courtside seats. To round out the experience, the Lady Hawks surprised a group of women veterans in attendance with custom baskets filled with Georgia crafted gifts, Hawks gear and gift cards as an expression of gratitude for their service on behalf of Crown Royal.
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ABOUT THE ATLANTA HAWKS
Committed to entertaining and uniting the city of Atlanta since 1968, the Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena, under the leadership of Principal Owners Tony Ressler and Jami Gertz, continue to build bridges through basketball by following its True to Atlanta mantra. On the court, the Hawks’ exciting young core is led by All-Star point guard Trae Young as the organization received the NBA’s top ranking in overall in-game experience for the last two seasons. Off the court, the Hawks organization focuses on positively impacting the lives of Atlantans through providing access to youth basketball, fighting food insecurity, and the recent transformation of State Farm Arena into Georgia’s largest-ever voting precinct for the 2020 elections. The Hawks family also includes the College Park Skyhawks (NBA G League) and Hawks Talon Gaming Club (NBA 2K League). Atlanta Hawks Membership, which includes your seat for every home game for the 2020-21 regular season, is on sale now at www.hawks.com/membership or by calling 866-715-1500. For more information on the Hawks, log on to www.hawks.com or follow us on social media @ATLHawks.
About Crown Royal
Crown Royal Canadian Whisky is the number-one selling Canadian whisky brand in the world and has a tradition as long and distinctive as its taste. Specially blended to commemorate a grand tour of Canada made by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain in 1939, Crown Royal’s smooth, elegant flavor and gift-worthy presentation reflect its regal origins – it is considered the epitome of Canadian whisky. For more information, visit www.crownroyal.com. Crown Royal encourages all consumers to please enjoy responsibly.
About Diageo North America
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow at Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.
