Shootout for Soldiers — the annual 24-hour lacrosse game and fundraiser — took place at the new Point Lookout Athletic Complex, marking the first time hosting the event in the Town of Hempstead. Along with a new game starting every hour, beginning at 9 a.m. July 8 and concluding at 9 a.m. July 9, the nonstop event included community engagement activities and veteran recognition.
“Standing shoulder to shoulder with our Nation’s veterans is nothing short of an honor,” said FDNY lacrosse team captain Ryan Phelan. “The sense of brotherhood and sacrifice that these brave soldiers exude is humbling to witness and reminds us why we come down to play.”
The Shootout for Soldiers organization was founded in 2012 with the mission of using lacrosse as a platform to support veterans and first responders while fostering community engagement. Shootout for Soldiers exists to ensure that no one ends their service without feeling that they’re still part of a team. The nonprofit has raised more than $6 million on behalf of veterans and first responders, with over $1 million coming from fundraisers across Long Island.
“You see the tangible interactions of the veterans in their communities again,” Shootout for Soldiers Executive Director Erik Mineo said. “And then you’re seeing the veterans see the community show up for them and that’s a real special thing.”
Shootout for Soldiers initially started from the idea of playing a 24-hour lacrosse game — with fresh teams playing a new game every hour through the night and into the morning hours. Shootout for Soldiers Long Island continued this tradition hosting an all-day lacrosse event open to the entire community. They are also the home of the FDNY vs. NYPD lacrosse game, as well as many other fire department vs. police department games from surrounding areas.
“Shootout for Soldiers is a special and unique thing,” Mineo stated. “It’s a festival-style day to engage with the ‘medicine game,’ and our veterans need medicine. They need medicine in the form of sports, community engagement and shared camaraderie. With Shootout for Soldiers, the veteran will always have a team to play for, a uniform to wear and another mission to support.”
The Shootout for Soldiers organization has already decided to return to point lookout for next year’s 24-hour festival. There are also plans to improve the event next year by adding more sports and more opportunities to get involved in supporting local veterans and first responders.
“Shootout L.I. was a great time,” Army veteran Jacobe Nall said. “I’ve played every year since 2018 and it just gets better each year.”
