EDGEWATER – Coming off a grueling but thrilling tour of all 32 NFL stadiums in 17 weeks and having returned from a trip to Super Bowl XLVIII, Craig Steichen and his son Matt had plenty of stories to tell.
They shared many of them with the Edgewater Veterans Group during the group’s Feb. 5 meeting. The Steichens’ football tour is part of Operation Warrior Wishes, an organization they started to give back to veterans wounded during battle.
Part of that mission includes treating the soldiers to unique experiences with their favorite teams, like meeting players and being honored during pregame ceremonies.
“When we take these guys out, it’s not just going to the game.
That would be good enough, but we make sure they do something special,” Craig said.
Matt (left) and Craig (right) Steichen receive a check from Carl Menconi (center),
commander of the Edgewater Veterans Group. (Mason Souza/ Sun Day Photo)
Operation Warrior Wishes received national attention during their Sept. 12 visit to Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. There, they introduced a dozen wounded veterans to 11 runners wounded during the Boston Marathon bombings last April.
The group was honored during a pregame ceremony on the field. The honorees also benefitted from the opportunity to share stories among each other of recovery after their injuries and adjusting to prosthetic limbs.
“We’re just very humbled to be able to do this for these guys,” Matt said.
Following the presentation by the Steichens, the Edgewater Veterans presented Operation Wounded Warriors with a check for $400.
