Philly Sports Mascots To Honor Local Veterans Thursday

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia area veterans are set to be honored Thursday by the city's sports mascots.

Gritty, the Phanatic, Sweep, Franklin, and Phang will be on hand at the Delaware Valley Veteran Home to celebrate five senior Philadelphia veterans.

The five mascots will present team jerseys to the veterans.

Flyer’s Gritty will present to Army veteran Robert Taylor, the Phanatic will present to Navy veteran Marvin Siegler, Swoop will present to Philadelphia native and die-hard Eagles fan George Rodgers, Franklin will present to basketball fan and Marine Corp veteran James Hetherington, and Phang will present to lifelong Philadelphia native and Air Force veteran Louis Isern.

The mascots will also mix and mingle with other residents at the event, celebrating veterans.

These jersey presentations will be part of The Philadelphia Veterans Parade and Festival. The parade and festival will take place at 12:30 p.m. Sunday along Market Street.

Each year, Philadelphia’s favorite mascots pause their team duties to gather, bring joy, and honor the City’s veteran community.

The Delaware Valley Veteran Home is located at 2701 Southampton Road in Philadelphia.