TAMPA, Fla. – The sad reality is that our nation loses 22 military veterans to suicide every day. There are plenty of veterans who are attempting to reduce that number and, in part, with hockey as a vehicle.
One such individual is Chris Scangarello. As the executive director of the Lightning Warriors Hockey Program, the former U.S. Marine and Florida Army National Guard member has been ramping up awareness for a priceless cause.
Beginning 2 p.m. Saturday at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel and stretching until noon Sunday, Hockey Heals-22 will raise awareness and funding in an attempt to reduce the aforementioned statistic.
Four Lightning Warriors teams and 17 other teams, each comprised of veterans as well as some active military, will play 22 consecutive hours of hockey. Donations will be accepted at the event, which has no admission charge.
A team that debuted as the Tampa Warriors in 2017 under the USA Hockey umbrella and became a non-profit in 2020, partnered with the Lightning last November. It has been wonderful marriage with the NHL club.
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“Having the Lightning as a partner has really broadened our reach, getting the word out on this event and being involved in the event,” said Scangarello, who served three years in the Marine Corps beginning on his 17th birthday and spent 15 years (2002-17) as a Black Hawk crew chief with the Florida Army National Guard.
This event, which will benefit Jon’s Mission for 22 and Valrico-based Black Dagger Military Hunt Club, brings together veterans who share a bond, a brotherhood that goes far beyond the ice.
“That’s really what our organization is all about,” said Scangarello. “It is having a similar camaraderie after leaving the service. It is not something you can replicate and not something we can describe to someone who has never served, but it is a bond between us that is unbroken.”
While this weekend’s event is a headliner, and will have the foundation of former Lightning and Penguins forward Ryan Malone (Malone Family Foundation) as a sponsor, hockey in general has become a wonderful outlet for many veterans who play throughout the year in men’s leagues and the like. The sport also serves as a means through which veterans can share their struggles and seek help.
“It is about getting the folks out of their house and giving them a physical activity while keeping them healthy,” said Scangarello, noting Air Force veteran and Lightning national anthem singer Sonya Bryson-Kirksey will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior to the event. “It allows us to be around each other enough to know that if somebody seems a little off, we have tons of avenues for resources. That is really what this big event is about. It is showcasing all of the different veteran support organizations that are out there.”
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