Fighting to preserve and protect

Cage Time 5: Fight for the Troops, Sat. Sept. 3, 6 p.m., Kingston Armory (280 Market St., Wilkes-Barre). Tickets: $25-$75 Info: mmaiscoming.com, 800.489.9499

Preserving our history has always been important. Whether it is artifacts in museums or photos in your grandmother’s dusty, old album, we all have our ways to remember the past. It represents a deeper part of who we are, where we came from and how we are remembered. It can invoke a sense of pride that no one can take away from us. But it’s not always easy, often requiring a lot of time, effort and money, especially for larger collections.

And for the 109th Field Artillery, as much help as possible is needed to care for its expansive collection, which dates back to its creation on October 17, 1775.

On Saturday, Sept. 3, Cage Time MMA will host Cage Time 5: Fight for the Troops, a fundraiser to benefit the 109th Field Artillery Heritage Association, at the Kingston Armory. Featuring 14 fights, both professional and amateur, the event also includes a modern army combative program displaying hand-to-hand combat drills prior to the night’s first fight.

Master Sgt. John Paul Karpovich, treasurer of the Heritage Association, said that doing an MMA match is a great way to help benefit the group.

“It’s something that has so much interest in this area,” he said. “It’s blown up over the years. The soldiers are really excited about the event and so is the community.”

According to the constitution outlined by the Heritage Association, its purpose is “to preserve, protect and promote the rich heritage and traditions of the 109th Field Artillery through the maintenance, care and upkeep of its museum, artifacts and displays while supporting the on-going efforts of the battalion as an integral part of the defense of the Wyoming Valley, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States of America.”

Karpovich said a few of the fights will include soldiers, including Eric Herbert, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, who will fight against John Doyle in the event’s headlining fight.

But Fight for the Troops will not just be aiding the Heritage Association. Karpovich said that concessions for the evening will be provided by the Family Readiness Group, an organization that helps fund the sending of care packages to deployed soldiers, as well as provide various events throughout the year for the families of soldiers. Proceeds from concessions will be used to benefit FRG.

Overall, the entire event is for the troops, which is why Gary Grant, who runs Cage Time MMA, said he wanted to host the event.

“I think the subtitle of the event says it all — Fight for the Troops,” Grant said. “The local fighters fight all the time, but this time, it’s for the troops. I think that’s just very important.”

Grant said many sponsors have gotten behind the event, including MyHouse Sports Gear and NEPA HOTADZ. He also said Verizon will be donating six 4G wireless cards for the event, allowing it to be broadcast on Ustream so that family and friends of the fighters, as well as deployed soldiers, who cannot attend the event will be able to watch it online.

For the members of the 109th Field Artillery, the Heritage Association and even outside members of the community, supporting the soldiers and preserving the rich history associated with groups such as the 109th, is definitely a cause worth fighting for. And for Karpovich, it’s something he said he hopes people come out for.

“This is going to be the most exciting mixed martial art event that this area has seen,” he said. “It’s a huge venue, not a bad seat in the house. Come out and see the fights, it’s for a great cause.”