sports
Hundreds of veterans snag free World Cup tickets: "One of the best sporting events I've ever been to. Maybe the best!"
Portuguese soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo made history on Tuesday, not just as the first person to score in six World Cup tournaments, but also as the centerpiece of an unforgettable experience for Mark Garcia, a Portugal fan and one of hundreds of veterans receiving free tickets to World Cup matches.
TL;DR
- Vet Tix, with support from Bank of America, provided nearly 5,000 free tickets to military service members, veterans, and first responders for World Cup games.
- Veteran Mark Garcia described attending a Portugal match, where Cristiano Ronaldo made history, as an unforgettable and emotional experience.
- Army veteran Peter Farley reunited with an Iraqi interpreter he knew from deployment to attend a World Cup game together in the U.S., calling it a 'full-circle moment'.
- Garcia, a 13-year Vet Tix member, highlighted the organization's role in providing veterans with affordable access to significant events.
- The ticket distribution prioritizes current military service members and veterans (80%) over first responders (20%).
- Garcia shared that these experiences provide comfort and a sense of camaraderie among fellow veterans.