By Linda Eberharter

Two military college hockey teams, Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and The Citadel, will meet December 6 in Wake Forest, N.C. with all proceeds going to The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund.

Approximately a year ago, VMI graduate Rev. Phillip Taylor, and life member of Post 132 in Smithville, N.C., had the idea of a fundraiser for the children of our fallen soldiers by organizing a hockey match between his alma mater and The Citadel. Hockey has a huge fan base with the NHL Carolina Hurricanes home in Raleigh, along with 1500 organized hockey teams for youth.

"I didn't want to reinvent the wheel," Taylor said, "so I did some investigation and found out about the Legacy Scholarship Fund on the Legion's website." He especially liked the fact that the scholarship was for children who had lost parents any time since 9/11 due to the war on terror.

Taylor contacted both schools' coaches and with both in agreement, the logistics were worked out for the match. The venue of the event will be the Factory Ice House in Wake Forest and is being called, ‘The Military Classic of the South on Ice' and the "puck will drop" at 6:10 pm on December 6.

Taylor has been highly successful in publicizing the event. By word of mouth, support from both schools' alumni groups, posters and promo spots on local radio, more than $2000 has been raised in a short time. "When asked to help, there was never a turndown. Shops readily agreed to post flyers, the tickets and posters were printed free, and everyone were more than happy to help," he said.

According to Taylor, his motives behind the idea were simple; to raise funds for the children of our men and women who've given their lives for our country, to promote the two colleges and to further promote the sport of hockey in the area.

With the pre-event sales going strong, tickets also will be sold at the door starting at 5 pm. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for youths. Additionally, the Carolina Hurricanes have donated a signed jersey and goalie stick along with tickets to one of their future games. These items will be raffled during Saturday night's match.