With Tuesday tabbed “National Night Out” across the country, FC Cincinnati players Jimmy McLaughlin and Emmanuel Ledesma joined the local community to celebrate the day in honor of connecting neighbors with first responders and those who serve our communities – all as part of the club’s tw Salute to Service initiative.
“It’s very important to meet people in the community,” Ledesma said. “The fans were coming and the kids had fun. It’s very important to meet the people who protect us and save our lives.”
Manu was at the Milford, Miami Township National Night Out, just down the road from the Mercy Health Training Center. While there, he met fans and signed autographs before presenting an FC Cincinnati flag.
The flag will fly at Milford City Hall.
Last summer, FCC announced they’d move their future practice facility to the city, which was established in 1836. To celebrate the Orange and Blue’s first year in the area, Ledesma represented the club and gave back to the team’s new neighbors.
“It’s very important because they interact with regular people,” he said. “There are police and people from the fire stations conversing with regular people. This is very important for us.”
As for McLaughlin, he went to the National Night Out at the Price Hill Recreation Center and thanked first responders for their service and for protecting the community. He also presented a flag.
The player appearances are part of a two-week, community-driven Salute to Service platform, which will continue in the lead up to FCC’s “Salute to Service” match against New York City FC on Aug. 17 at Nippert Stadium.
This past Monday, Leo Bertone visited the West End Fire Stadium and actually joined firefighters on duty when they received a call during the Swiss midfielder’s visit.
