Gaming with the Pros: Eagles, Verizon honor Gold Star families with a special night of fun and games
The Eagles collaborated with Gold Star Gamers and Verizon to hold a gaming event where kids from military families played video games with Eagles players to kick off Salute to Service Week ahead of Sunday’s victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
Gold Star Gamers’ goal is to use competitive gaming to provide hope and healing to children who have lost a military parent.
According to Julian Boddy, a community advisor for Gold Star Gamers, “it brightens kids’ faces, it is exciting, and it is all about gaming.”
Tom McAndrews and Martha Laughman created the group.
The loss of their father, Sergeant First Class Matthew Nyman, in combat affected the Laughman boys, particularly Maddox, her youngest son. Maddox felt closer to his father when he dressed in his father’s uniform and pretended to converse with him while playing video games. Laughman had the idea to start Gold Star Gamers because of Maddox.
Laughman stated, “Maddox never got to know the best parts of his dad.” “Maddox was both depressed over Matt’s passing and aching to see him again. We like to reminisce about Maddox’s happy moments spent with his father. We want to be able to concentrate on something good. Maddox plays games to connect with other kids who are going through similar things.”
“It’s a fraternity,” Boddy declared. “It is all about camaraderie and that service that you can appreciate.”
Boddy served in the military for 24 years, including positions in cybersecurity and military police.
While employed in the corporate finance sector, Boddy felt as though something was lacking. It turns out that the something was Gold Star Gamers. It gave him the opportunity to be involved in his community and rekindle his military ties.
“This can help fulfill what I was missing, that service and commitment,” Boddy stated. “I am able to brighten up kids’ lives and help them out.”
Families that lost a parent, sibling, or other loved one in conflict are known as Gold Star families.
Verizon sponsored the event and also sent a family from their employee assistance group, VALOR. Veterans and Advocates Leading the Organization Responsibly is what Verizon calls VALOR.
As stated by the group, VALOR seeks to unite military spouses, veterans, and other supporters in a common mission to assist and strengthen the military community.
Boddy’s efforts enabled Gold Star Gamers to host a fun-filled game night with Eagles players at Lincoln Financial Field for Gold Star families.
Kids can play games like Madden, Rocket League, and Mario Kart on the gaming consoles that the Eagles Community Relations team and Gold Star Gamers set up in the LifeBrand Tunnel Club.
The evening began with a surprise appearance by Brandon Graham. He took photos and autographs while visiting with Gold Star families and service members.
“It was cool to hear about what they do, their mentality, and how our jobs are similar and different,” Graham stated.
Honoring Service Week in 2023
The Eagles honored Salute to Service, presented by Toyota, with a visit to the VA hospital, a Gold Star Family meet-and-greet with Lane Johnson, a Gold Star Gamers event, and Military Movie Night. View the greatest pictures from the celebrations and game day activities this week.
With the Gold Star kids, Devon Allen, Fred Johnson, and Rick Lovato engaged in video game play.
In Rocket League, Lovato and Allen engaged in warfare together, each pairing with children who had lost a parent in war. In a fiercely contested match, Team Allen prevailed over Team Lovato.
Allen stated, “A large portion of my family is in the military.” “I am surrounded by military folks since my mom was in the Army, my grandfather was in the Marines, and I currently coach track at the Naval Academy. I admire and value all they do, without a doubt.”
SWOOP participated in the action as well, winning a fierce Mario Kart match.
Johnson, the resident Madden player, faced up against Nehemiah Rodriguez, a child of seven. While attempting to defeat one another, the two bonded greatly.
It’s magical, Boddy declared. “This occasion is fulfilling wishes. These children are playing video games with the gamers next to them as they are seated. The coolest thing is this.”
Following the conclusion of the gaming, the kids and their families were allowed to see Lincoln Financial Field’s Eagles locker room, snap photos with the Lombardi Trophy, and take a field trip.
A personalized jersey autographed by Allen, Graham, Lovato, Johnson, and all the children present was given to the Gold Star Gamers group by the Eagles and sent home with them. – Written by Boyle Owen…