THE SIDELINES : ‘Operation Touchdown’ Set for Gulf

NEW YORK —  On Thanksgiving Day, at 9:30 a.m. PST, the Denver Broncos and the Detroit Lions will kick off in a game that will be seen by American military personnel stationed in Saudi Arabia and aboard naval ships, in the gulf region.

President Bush, who will be visiting with American service personnel in Saudi Arabia on Thanksgiving Day will deliver remarks introducing the game to the troops.

In announcing details of “Operation Touchdown,” Citizens For A Free Kuwait, coordinators of the project, said their primary objective is to provide American service men and women with a taste of home on Thanksgiving Day.

NBC is broadcasting the game and will provide greetings to the troops from their families in the United States, as well as from the troops in Saudi Arabia back to family and friends at home, beginning with the pregame show.