Seneca Valley Fans, Football Players, Say ‘Thanks’ to Veterans

For the second year in a row, veterans and active military personnel placed American Flag stickers on the helmets of players before the team went out to do battle on the football field.

“The veterans loved it so much that we decided to make part of our program,” said Linda Andreassi, Seneca Valley’s director of communications.

On Friday, about 50 military members stood on the track at NextTier Stadium and were recognized by a cheering crowd for their service before the start of Seneca Valley’s first football game of the season against the Butler Area Tornadoes. The event was part of the district’s annual

The Raiders went on to defeat the Tornadoes by a score of 24-9.

Before the Seneca Valley players took to the field Friday, they also shook hands with the diverse group of veterans, who represented branches of the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force.

Superintendent Dr. Tracy Vitale, who grew up with a dad in the Marines, said she was pleased to welcome to the military members to Seneca Valley.

“I’m very proud of their service and I’m proud to be an American,” she said.

Veterans and active military personnel from the community also were given free tickets and special seating accommodations at the game.

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