Game 35 – Warrior Wishes Come True at the Giants Game!

So far this season we have made Warrior Wishes come true at 34 NFL games!

After hosting warriors at the Steelers game Sunday afternoon…

My dad did some sightseeing around Pittsburgh before jumping on an overnight bus to New York.

We have made some unforgettable memories in New York throughout the years. In fact, it’s where our mission began in 2012. I’ll never forget hanging out in Times Square with my dad until 1am the night before we kicked off our original mission. We really had no clue what we were getting ourselves in to. Here are some of the amazing memories we shared with Chris and Damien in 2012.

We never imagined that we would have ever had the opportunity to host nearly 5000 veterans at over 1000 events 7 years later….

My dad arrived in New York Monday morning and immediately made his way out to the Meadowlands.

Here are some more of our favorite memories from making Warrior Wishes come true in New York at Giants games throughout the years.

Today we had the honor of hosting Army Sgt James Weikel, Marine Cpl David Noblit and Army SSG Doug Rossetti.

Sgt Weikel served as an infantryman stationed out of Ft. Lewis, WA.

Marine Corporal David Noblit, Jr. was on his second deployment when he lost both of his legs above the knees, and sustained severe damage to his left arm in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast while serving in Afghanistan on Oct. 21, 2010.

What started as a normal day found Cpl Noblit on a morning patrol. A local told the squad’s interpreter that insurgents had been placing IEDs in a compound nearby. Working with a team, Cpl Noblit began clearing the compound. While completing the task, an unidentified IED was triggered, throwing Cpl Noblit through the air. The blast traumatically amputating both of his legs. Cpl Noblit also sustained severe damage to his left arm.

Lifesaving measures at the scene readied Cpl Noblit for transport as more than a dozen insurgents’ waited to ambush the group while en route to the landing zone. Following a firefight, and safely onboard the helicopter, Cpl Noblit was evacuated to Camp Leatherneck Hospital in Afghanistan.

Later airlifted to Landstuhl, Germany, David used a satellite phone to call his wife Amanda while on the medical transport plane airlifting him to Walter Reed Medical Center.

Today Cpl Noblit enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, and anything to do with the outdoors. He also enjoys football, baseball, and spending time with his family. His wife, Amanda, and young son, Cayden have been by his side through his recovery. He is the recipient of a home provided by Homes for our Troops.

Army SSG Doug Rossetti proudly served our country for more than 15 years! He was nominated by his wife who wanted to show him how much she appreciates him for all he has done as a soldier and as a family man. It was an honor to make these wishes come true!

The group met up at Redd’s before making their way over to the tailgate. Our friend Ed Salomeh and his tailgate crew have been by our side supporting our mission and making wishes come true with us in New York since day 1!

They didn’t have the big fancy wrapped RV back then like they do now, But every year they have gone above and beyond to provide an unforgettable experience. They treat the warriors to a top notch tailgate experience, provide them gifts, and even provide tickets for the warriors to attend the game! Even though James and David were rooting for the Cowboys… This year was no different.

We are forever grateful to call Ed and his crew friends and thankful for all of their continued support!

The warriors enjoyed hanging at before heading inside MetLife stadium to take the field. The New York Giants also went above and beyond by providing field passes to the warriors. As they were making their way out the tunnel, they met former Giants Running Back Ahmad Bradshaw!

Once on the sidelines they watched their favorite players getting ready for the Monday night matchup up close and personal!

Cowboys Linebacker, Leighton Vander Esch stopped over to thank David and James for their service.

And Giants hall of fame Linebacker, Lawrence Taylor showed his appreciation to Doug! What an incredible experience!

As game time approached everyone made their way up to their seats to kick things off.

The Giants intercepted Dak Prescott on his first pass attempt of the game! It seemed as if they dominated the first half, until the Cowboys scored twice in less than 2 minutes to take a 13-12 lead into the halftime break.

My dad took the break to meet up with our old friend Alex Rodriguez. Alex was one of our guests a few years back and happened to be at the game. He is on the verge of graduating college and we are so proud to see how great he is doing since we met him! Congrats Alex! Keep up the good work!

The Cowboys picked right back up where they left off in the 2nd half. They went on to beat the giants 37-18.

Thankfully we had warriors rooting for both teams, so we couldn’t lose… unfortunately Doug and his wife were sad while James & David celebrated the Cowboys victory.

Operation Warrior wishes would Link’s to thank Army Sgt James Weikel, Marine Cpl David Noblit and Army SSG Doug Rossetti for their service and sacrifices! If was an honor to host you at today’s game!

After the game ended, my dad made his way over to LaGuardia airport. I assume he found a spot on the ledge by the food court where he slept in this picture a few years ago before catching his Tuesday morning flight back home.