The Rangers Charity Foundation recently invited two families of fallen US and British military heroes for a two-day visit.
As part of the event that supports mourning military families, the children were also given a chance to lead the teams out at the Rangers v Motherwell game on March 2.
For the second time, the Foundation partnered with the US non-profit organisation, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), which offers compassionate care to those grieving the loss of a military or veteran family member.
Diana Hosford, vice-president of Sports & Entertainment for TAPS, said: "We are grateful to the Rangers and Rangers Charity Foundation for helping us help grieving military families.
"The beautiful game created beautiful moments for survivors to connect, to share, and to bond."
The US-based Smith family was invited to the UK to meet the Davidson family, thanks to TAPS and Families’ Activity Breaks, a partner charity.
The families were given private museum and stadium tours before a dinner at the Blue Sky Lounge.
The next day, some of the Rangers' players met the families at the match.
The youngest children from each family, Michael Smith, 12, and Amelia Davidson, 11, led the teams onto the Ibrox pitch.
Connal Cochrane, chief executive of the Rangers Charity Foundation, said: “The Foundation has a long and proud history of supporting Armed Forces charities, personnel and veterans.
“Following a successful visit for Remembrance Day in November 2022, we were again privileged to help provide a warm welcome to our friends at TAPS and I hope that that the visit creates special and healing memories for both the families.”
Both the Smith and Davidson families were chosen for the programme due to their unique stories.
UK Sergeant Lee Davidson, who served in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan, left behind a wife and three children.
US Navy Captain David M Smith served for almost 26 years in various capacities before he passed leaving behind his wife and three children.
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