FOXBORO -- At a ceremony inside Gillette Stadium overlooking the Patriots home field, the team dedicated a black seat to be permanently unoccupied to honor American POWMIAs.
"What an exciting day," said Patriots owner Robert Kraft. "Thank you all for coming here today. This is pretty cool and just another small way we have a chance to support all the great military folks who do so many great things for this country and in many ways are still under-appreciated in my opinion."
Over 100 members of Rolling Thunder Massachusetts Chapter 1 arrived at the ceremony on their motorcycles and cheered loudly after Kraft thanked them for their presence.
"I hope we roll like that Sunday against Buffalo," Kraft exclaimed.
Former Patriots and veteran military members Gino Cappelletti and Tom Yewcic were among those in attendance for the dedication. Cappelletti served in the Army from 1956-58 as an artillery specialist. Yewcic served as an Army lieutenant from 1955-57.
Gillette Stadium is the first major professional sports venue to dedicate a seat in recognition of POWMIAs.