WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark and the New England Patriots teamed up for an early Veterans Day tribute last month at Gillette Stadium’s Dana-Farber Field House, inviting veterans from around New England to participate in a skills camp.

Christy Gardner of Lewiston was among the veterans invited to participate.

CVS Caremark worked with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Boston Adaptive Sports program – a program of the VA Boston Healthcare System – to identify 50 veterans of all abilities from across New England to a special football skills camp on the Patriots’ practice field.

The skills camp paired former Patriots players with veterans from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire Rhode Island and Vermont for a day of fun and skills training.

The special camp kicked off in true Patriots style with veterans from all branches of the military experiencing the thrill of taking the field through an oversized Patriots helmet. It continued with veterans honing their football skills at blocking, throwing and kicking stations run by Patriots alumni Max Lane, Jon Williams, Pete Brock and Eric Alexander; lunch on the sidelines; and an opportunity to get autographs from and take pictures with the Patriots alumni, cheerleaders, and mascot Pat Patriot.

“We are proud to provide this experience to the men and women who have served our country,” said Eileen Howard Boone, senior vice president of corporate philanthropy and social responsibility for CVS Caremark. “Our company has a longstanding commitment to veterans, and we are so pleased to see veterans of all ages and abilities and from all branches of the armed forces enjoying this event.”