Sergeant Chad Hayes of Albert Lea was honored between the first and second quarters of the Timberwolves Nov. 25 game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Timberwolves Team President, Chris Wright, presented Hayes with a team-autographed basketball at center court and the Minnesotan&8217;s Military Appreciation Fund presented Hayes with a $2,000 grant for his service in Iraq. Along with his friends and family, Hayes watched the Timberwolves game in a suite at Target Center.

Hayes said he was unsure about what he would use the money for.

&8220;I guess I will just put it in the bank and then we will see,&8221; he said.

His friend who also served with him, Sergeant Chris Schultz, from Austin, also attended the game and was honored along with Hayes.

Hayes was deployed to Seitz, Iraq, with the 11-33rd Transportation Company from April 2003 to January 2004 when he was injured. He was injured by enemy mortar fire and suffered shrapnel wounds to his chest, back and lungs. The U.S. Army National Guard awarded him a Purple Heart medal.

Hayes, who just turned 33 last week, said he has been doing well since returning and moving to Albert Lea nearly a year ago.

&8220;I am back to work with the Union Pacific Railroad and I am fully recovered,&8221; he said.

Throughout November, the Timberwolves honored military personnel as part of the Operation Minnesota Heroes program.

At each home game a Purple Heart medal recipient was be honored, families were surprised by messages from a loved one serving in Iraq and other surprise events throughout the game.

The team donated more than 4,000 tickets to men and women serving in the military through the Minnesotan’s Military Appreciation Fund (MMAF) and presented the MMAF with a $10,000 donation.