Utah Jazz, local military join forces in 'Commitment to Service'

  • Published
  • By Dana Rimington
  • Hill Air Force Base Public Affairs
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (AFNS) --  In honor of Veterans Day, Hill Air Force Base and other military services partnered with Utah Jazz players for a joint mission Nov. 6.

They worked together at the George E. Whalen Veterans Affairs Medical Center here as part of a collaboration between the NBA and Department of Defense known as the Commitment to Service project.

As part of the Department of Defense and NBA initiative for service members and athletes to work together serving their communities, all 30 NBA teams across the country and their local military participated in similar events around Veterans Day.

Utah Jazz players and local military personnel brought their own rakes, shovels and gloves and went to work refurbishing the hospital courtyard with new landscaping bark, replaced old lighting, served a meal at the nearby Fisher House, hung Christmas lights in trees and visited with hospitalized veterans.

Military members from different services also worked side by side. "I feel like being here shows how much we care about the men and women who served before us, and that by serving, we're showing we're all a part of one big community. We're here to help each other," said Senior Airman Pierce Ryan of the 729th Air Control Squadron, who was using a hammer and chisel to remove old bricks from around the courtyard fountain.

Watching Marines carrying pallets of mulch, Airmen wheeling loads of bricks through the hospital lobby, and Jazz players shaking hands and taking pictures with hospitalized veterans was a unique experience for Chief Master Sgt. Rhonda Miller, the 75th Air Base Wing command chief.

"It's fun to partner with the Jazz," Miller said. "Projects like this are a great way for our Airmen to show their commitment to service. We all enjoy being part of something bigger, and giving back to the veterans community is a great way for us to say thanks for all their service."

Utah Jazz team president Randy Rigby said seeing his athletes partnering with local military left him similarly inspired.

"We're honored to be serving together with the men and women of the military," he said.

We appreciate the opportunity to give back and do it alongside the men and women of the armed services who do so much for all of us. One thing that's been evident today is that service members know how to serve and they know how to work." Rigby said. "The Jazz have a longstanding relationship with the Veterans Affairs Medical Center and we are looking forward to expanding our outreach efforts to include hands-on service."

The efforts put forth by both groups will have far-reaching effects, according to Col. Ronald Jolly, the 75th Air Base Wing and installation commander at Hill Air Force Base.

"Making a commitment to service is about being part of something bigger than you are," he said. "The military is about teamwork, whether that's active-duty, Guard, Reserve or civil service, and we cannot be successful without it. Working together with the Utah Jazz is a great opportunity to show that teamwork and give back to our veterans in the community."

Those who participated in the event included Utah Jazz players Trey Burke, Trevor Booker, Jeremy Evans, Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward, Jordan Hamilton, Rodney Hood, and Steve Novak, Jazz President Randy Rigby, Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey, Jazz Assistant General Manager Justin Zanik, Jazz Broadcaster Thurl Bailey, Jazz Broadcaster Ron Boone, Jazz Broadcaster David Locke, America First Jazz Dancers and military personnel from Hill Air Force Base, U.S. Navy, Utah National Guard and U.S. Marine Corps.