Attending an iconic sporting event such the Rose Bowl game is a bucket list experience for many! And what a gift it was to ring in the New Year for a group of veterans and first responders, including Chief Petty Officer Josh Dillen.
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"It was an amazing experience for me and my family," said Dillen.
Dillen is stationed at Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu, but he and his wife grew up idolizing the University of Michigan. So to watch their team in-person earlier this month, was pretty special.
And in case you forgot, Michigan won.
"Being so close and not being able to go this was just incredible for us and they were having an amazing season that we got to feel like we were a part of," said Dillen.
The Tournament of Roses collaborated with the Vet Tix to provide the tickets. The partnership has gifted nearly 6,000 tickets to the Pasadena event since 2015.
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And it's not just the Rose Bowl. The nonprofit has more than 20,000 donors helping them reach the incredible milestone this month of having provided 20 million total tickets for events nationwide.
"If we can send our members to these events as a way to make up for that lost time to rebuild those relationships that's how we can thank them for their service and sacrifice," said Steve Weintraub, the chief strategy officer for Vet Tix.
For the Dillen family - it was quite a memory.
"I was shaking my son I was so excited jumping up and down in the stands with everybody all the high fives," said Dillen. "They really got to experience that atmosphere and that was something that they'll be able to take home for a long time."