Air Force, Army Defend the Blue Line for charity Published June 22, 2012 By Tech. Sgt. Scott P. Farley 934th Airlift Wing MINNEAPOLIS ST PAUL AIR RESERVE STATION -- Defending the Blue Line hosted a National Hockey League charity game and autograph session to benefit military families at Ridder Arena at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis June 20. Defending the Blue Line is a non-profit organization created by a group of National Guard Soldiers in Minnesota to raise money to ensure that the children of military members are afforded every opportunity to participate in hockey. "Any time you can support your troops that defend our country its a fantastic cause, so we can come out here to thank them and show them our support in one little way of playing a game," said Mark Parrish, the Ottawa Senators right winger and Minnesota native. "It's a great opportunity for us all." The organization is currently run by service members, hockey players and executives in not only Minnesota, but New York, Pennsylvania, California, Wasington, D.C., and North Carolina. The charity game featured an Air Force versus Army matchup. Each team consisted of not only players representing the Air Force and Army, but also players from the NHL, minor leagues, European leagues, college and national teams. Parrish was joined by Washington Capitals center Matt Hendrick in his sentiments of the event being a good cause. "It's an outstanding organization. It's run top notch and what a great cause helping military families and their kids," said Hendrick. Defending the Blue Line has given back 90 percent of its revenues to military families to provide free hockey equipment, pay for hockey fees and send kids to summer hockey camps. They also send military families to National Hockey League games. The event included a skate-with-the-pros opportunity for children of military members and an autograph session before the puck was dropped.