From dawn's early light to twilight's last gleaming, it was a full day of Lacrosse at Canandaigua Academy. This year marked the second time the town has held a leg of the National Shootout for Soldiers campaign. Canandaigua is the smallest of the eleven cities to host a marathon game, but organizers say they couldn't wait to be back in the Finger Lakes Region.
"From the get-go of this event it's been all about the energy and the community of what's going on. We had thousands of people come out in 2017, so to come back out here in 2018 was a no brainer for us," said founder Tyler Steinhardt.
"I feel like Canandaigua is just a hot spot for lacrosse as it is, then to honor our veterans can really help a lot, not only growing the sport but raising more awareness for veterans," said David Dube, Jr., of Canandaigua.
Last year, Dube, Jr., played for his dad, who at the time was deployed. This year the two took to the turf, together.
"It's always a sacrifice on our part, on our family's part, but it's always tough to be away and miss this stuff. That's why I'm happy to be here and do this with him this year," said Dube, Sr.
And when it comes to lacrosse, the greater Rochester area is one big family.
"Lacrosse is also a really special community, you see that here in Canandaigua, how tight everyone is," said Steinhardt.
"Everyone is here, everybody is contributing. If we ask anyone for help they're on board immediately. It's an amazing thing," said local organizer John Issac.
The event raises funds to help support veterans, but it's also to raise awareness.
"If you're a high school freshman today, you were born after 9/11. So for them to understand what it means to be a veteran, can sometimes be lost, so it's really important that we bring these two groups together to create that bond and build empathy," said Steinhardt.
"To have events like this, gives a message to all of us, who have served that we are loved, that we are cared for, that what we did mattered," said Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Gary Beikirch.
