New Jersey Devils to Honor Purple Heart Recipient on February 18th

Feb. 14, 2011 - PRLog -- A spokesman from the American Patriot Program has announced that United States Army Captain Kevin L. Boyd will be receiving the fourth American Patriot Award of TAPP's Operation Fire & Ice award season.

The New Jersey Devils face off against the New York Rangers at 7:00 pm at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Captain Boyd will be presented with the award on February 18th in Newark, New Jersey at the Prudential Center- The home of the NHL's New Jersey Devils.

Boyd is the first member of the United States Army to receive the hockey themed American Patriot Award.  Two Marines and a member of the Army National Guard have preceded the Army Captain in the line of American Patriot Goalie Stick Award recipients for the 2010-2011 NHL award season.

Captain Boyd was nominated for the national level award by Chester Marcus.  Marcus is the Director of the Southwest Asia Veterans Association of Greater New York and serves with the Public Affairs department of the Mid Atlantic Recruiting Battalion in Lakehurst, New Jersey.

Marcus stated, "Captain Boyd is a very humble man who serves our Country with true
honor and has earned the respect of his fellow officers."

Captain Boyd was awarded for his actions on July 1st of 2006 in the Paktika Province of Afghanistan.

Boyd was struck by shrapnel from a rocket that struck the base operations center while outside attempting to spot the rocket launch site. Due to the blast he lost significant hearing and received shrapnel wounds in his right leg and foot. Effective counter battery fire was placed against the enemy destroying the launch site and killing the Taliban rocketeers.

Vaughn Hockey's Scott Hughes has been very proud to see such a tremendous candidate and class of recipients enjoy TAPP's inaugural American Patriot Goalie Stick Award season.  Hughes stated, "with what we are able to enjoy in this Country and the liberties we are afforded by these true heroes, we are honored to take part in this award program."

In cooperation with Vaughn Hockey, the American Patriot Goalie Stick Award is designed by Doug Wager, owner of Weasel Head Custom Designs.  Wager will get his first opportunity to witness first hand the presentation of the award.

Wager stated, "It's going to be pretty special seeing someone that has done so much for our Country holding something that I played a part in designing."

The American Patriot Award will be presented by Chet Marcus and former NHL iron man and New Jersey NHL Alumni Association's Bruce Driver.  

The Marriott's Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel of Rutherford, New Jersey is TAPP's official hotel partner of the New Jersey Devils hosted February 2011 American Patriot Honor Event.  To secure accommodations in preparation of this event please contact General Manager Toni Pinto at 201.231.3100.

To secure tickets for the event please visit the official website of the New Jersey Devils at www.devils.nhl.com/ or by contacting the New Jersey Devils at 973.757.6100.

For further details on this American Patriot Honor Event and other American Patriot Program events please visit www.patriotprogram.us.

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The American Patriot Program is comprised of a group of nine volunteer organizations joined through America's Favorite National Pastime and the great sport of American ice hockey to honor combat wounded American Veterans.