During the April 14 game vs. the Washington Capitals, we welcomed United States Navy Petty Officer Second Class Bob Morris.  

The grandson of a World War II Naval veteran, Petty Officer Second Class Morris enlisted with the Navy in 2004 and went on to serve as a Communications Electronics Technician. Over the course of his five years of service, he served two deployments aboard the USS Norfolk nuclear submarine in the Persian Gulf region in support of the global war on terrorism.

During the April 12 game vs. the Boston Bruins, we welcomed United States Air Force Retired Master Sergeant Doctor Jovanni McColley.  

From Trotwood, Ohio, Dr. McColley joined the Air Force in 2003 and was deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom during her 20 years of service. During that time, she served as a logistics professional, military training instructor and paralegal in the Judge Advocate General Corps. 

She now serves as the manager of operations for the emergency department at Riverside Methodist Hospital and was joined by the president of Riverside Methodist Hospital, Rob Cercek, and the medical director of the emergency department, Dr. Warren Yamarick.

During the April 4 game vs. the Winnipeg Jets, we welcomed United States Navy Reserve Lieutenant Paul Navarro.  

Having enlisted with his twin brother at the age of 17, Lieutenant Navarro served for 24 years as a member of the Navy. Over the course of his career, he was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and served at key locations across the globe, including China Lake, Fujairah and Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates, as well as Isa Air Base in Bahrain. His service has taken him to more than 30 countries worldwide. 

For his service, he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal, among others.

During the March 31 game vs. the Carolina Hurricanes, we welcomed United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Arnie Harmon.  

After enlisting with the Air Force in 1967, Staff Sergeant Harmon completed tech school training to load bombs and munitions on aircraft. In June 1968, he was assigned to a classified base on the northeast border of Thailand. There he served on the flight line in the 602nd Air Commando Squadron loading weapons and munitions on the infamous Douglas A-1 Skyraiders. He was honorably discharged in 1971 and for his service he was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and the Vietnam Service Medal, among others.

During the March 29 game vs. the Boston Bruins, we welcomed United States Army Specialist Aaron House and Specialist Miranda House.  

From Zanesville, Specialist Miranda House served for eight years with the Army as a medic and military police. Her brother, Specialist Aaron House, followed in her footsteps and enlisted with the Army in September 2016 and served four years as a combat medic.

During the March 28 game vs. the San Jose Sharks, we welcomed United States Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Charlie Mills and Coyle the K-9.  

Senior Chief Petty Officer Mills enlisted with the Navy in 1986 as a Hospital Corpsman and went on to receive the Navy Commendation Medal and Combat Action Ribbon, among others, during his 26 years of service. He has also served as a volunteer firefighter in Sunbury and a paramedic with Delaware County. Since 2009, he has served with the Perry Township Police Department. 

During that time, he handled Coyle, a dual-purpose explosive detection and patrol canine. Having retired from active service in July 2025, Coyle is now living his best life with his partner, Charlie.

During the March 21 game vs. the Seattle Kraken, we welcomed United States Air Force Reserve Major Ingrid Navarro and Master Sergeant Mike Navarro.  

From Toledo, Major Navarro enlisted in 2000 with the 180th Fighter Wing and was commissioned in 2009. She currently serves as the Deputy Branch Chief, Defense Contract Management Agency, in Washington, DC. From South El Monte, California, Master Sergeant Navarro has served for 24 years and is currently a Joint Reservist with the Defense Logistics Agency in Richmond, Virginia. 

They met in Japan while Ingrid was teaching English and Mike was on Navy active duty. They have been married for nearly 20 years and have four sons together.

During the March 19 game vs. the New York Rangers, we welcomed United States Navy Petty Officer Third Class Jake Kolbus.  

From Salt Lake City, Petty Officer Third Class Kolbus enlisted with the Navy in 2003 served as a Hospital Corpsman, Combat/Field Medic and Orthopedic Technician. He oversaw the health care of more than 300 Marines and was in charge of all junior line medics during a deployment to Al Anbar, Iraq, and went on to conduct infantry operations in Western Iraq and provided humanitarian and medical support to local Iraqi nationals.

During the March 17 game vs. the Carolina Hurricanes, we welcomed United States Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Timothy O’Linn.  

From Columbus, Chief Master Sergeant O’Linn entered the Air Force four days after graduating from Eastmoor High School. He is a veteran of numerous contingency deployments, including Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Joint Task Force Operation Safe Haven, as well as Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve. For his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster and the Meritorious Service Medal with four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, among others.

During the March 9 game vs. the Los Angeles Kings, we welcomed United States Navy Retired Lieutenant Commander Paul Vawter.  

Having enlisted with the Navy in June 1969, Retired Lieutenant Commander Vawter was first assigned aboard the USS Alexander, where he served as a Missile Technician during six extended submarine deployments. He was later assigned to the USS Patrick Henry, where he served as an Assistant Weapons Officer and Officer of the Deck. During the course of 10 deployments, he accumulated more than three years submerged in submarines before retiring in 1990.

During the March 7 game vs. the Utah Mammoth, we welcomed United States Army Sergeant First Class Nick Geno.  

Sergeant First Class Geno enlisted in April 2006 as an Artilleryman and went on to serve deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He later assisted in the training of cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point before finishing his active-duty career as an Army Recruiter in Columbus. He now continues to serve our community as a Columbus Police Officer.

During the March 5 game vs. the Florida Panthers, we welcomed United States Army Reserve Staff Sergeant Szu-Yu Chu. 

From Taipei, Taiwan, Staff Sergeant Chu has served with the Army Reserve for 10 years as a Bandsman/Army Musician and earned her U.S. citizenship through her military service. She obtained a doctorate in classical music at The Ohio State University and has gone on to serve in 45 high-visibility support missions, from change of commands to yellow ribbon programs.

During the March 3 game vs. the Nashville Predators, we welcomed United States Air Force Retired Master Sergeant James Brown II.  

A 21-year veteran with the Air Force, Retired Master Sergeant Brown served two deployments to Afghanistan where he earned both Air Force and Army Commendation Medals. He also served at the White House Communications Agency from 2011 to 2015, where he ensured that President Obama had secure communication while traveling abroad. He later went on to start the Ohio Warriors hockey charity, empowering and supporting veterans in their journey towards improved physical and mental well-being.

During the Feb. 28 game vs. the New York Islanders, we welcomed United States Marine Corps Corporal Cohen Fetters.  

From Whitehall, Corporal Fetters joined the Marines in June 2008 and served as a Structures and Hydraulic Systems Mechanic on utility and attack helicopters as a member of the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369. He served two deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2010 and 2011 and was honorably discharged in 2013.

During the Feb. 4 game vs. the Chicago Blackhawks, we welcomed United States Army Specialist Cody Pletcher.  

From Barberton, Ohio, Specialist Pletcher enlisted with the Army in June 2013 and was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve. He also served a deployment to Syria as a member of a Special Operations Joint Task Force. He was honorably discharged in 2021.

During the Jan. 28 game vs. the Philadelphia Flyers, we welcomed World War II and Korean War Veteran, United States Coast Guard Seaman Bob Pennington.  

From Cincinnati, Seaman Pennington enlisted with the Coast Guard in 1945 after graduating high school. He completed basic training at the Manhattan Beach Coast Guard Training Station and later celebrated Victory over Japan Day in Times Square, New York City. He was drafted into active duty during the Korean War and stationed in the Philippines, where he provided navigation support and assisted with search and rescue operations.

During the Jan. 24 game vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning, we welcomed United States Air Force Master Sergeant Charles White Jr.  

With more than 21 years in the Air Force, Master Sergeant White has served four deployments to Afghanistan and one deployment to Romania. He was named the 49th Wing Noncommissioned Officer of the Year in 2012, Instructor of the Year in 2017, and 80th Flying Training Wing Staff Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year in 2021. He will be retiring from the Air Force on March 1.

During the Jan. 22 game vs. the Dallas Stars, we welcomed United States Navy Lieutenant Commander Matthew Wall.  

From Johnstown, Ohio, Lieutenant Commander Wall commissioned as a Naval Flight Officer in 2013 after graduating from Miami University. He completed TOPGUN, the Navy's elite aircraft training program, to become an expert Air Intercept Controller and has served three tours and completed two aircraft carrier deployments to the western Pacific Ocean where he flew the E-2 aircraft.

During the Jan. 20 game vs. the Ottawa Senators, we welcomed United States Air Force Retired Master Sergeant Benjamin Moles.  

From Red House, West Virginia, Retired Master Sergeant Moles enlisted with the Air Force in 1999 after graduating from high school. Over his 20 years of service, he was deployed to Bahrain in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, to Saudi Arabia in support of Operations Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom, and Oman in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During the Jan. 15 game vs. the Vancouver Canucks, we welcomed United States Air Force Master Sergeant Amber Walz.  

From Stockbridge, Michigan, Master Sergeant Walz enlisted with the Air Force in April 2010 as an Aircrew Flight Technician. Stationed in Japan, she participated in life-saving events during the 2011 earthquake and typhoon. She also completed a two-week tour in Thailand, where she participated in joint exercises with the Thai and Singapore Air Forces. In 2013 she was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and she now serves as the senior non-commissioned officer in charge of public health at the reserve wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

During the Jan. 13 game vs. the Calgary Flames, we welcomed United States Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class Charles Brookhart.  

From Burke, Virginia, Petty Officer First Class Brookhart enlisted with the Coast Guard in April 2000. He spent several years stationed in Florida, where he served as a Search and Rescue Controller, before transferring to the New York sector where he continued with search and rescue operations. He was later transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Thetis serving as a Combat Information Center Watch Supervisor.

During the Jan. 4 game vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins, we welcomed United States Army Specialist Scott Sipes.  

From Christine, Ohio, Specialist Sipes served for nine years with the Army, including a tour in Iraq from 2005 to 2006. For his service he was awarded a Purple Heart and Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device, among others.

During the Dec. 31 game vs. the New Jersey Devils, we welcomed Ohio Army National Guard Major Jonah Minot.  

From Worthington, Major Minot commissioned in April 2016 as a behavioral health officer. Throughout his nine years of service, he has provided comprehensive mental health care to soldiers, including deployments in 2020 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and in 2022 as a member of Joint Task Force Respite.

During the Dec. 28 game vs. the New York Islanders, we welcomed United States Air Force Master Sergeant Pete Fentress.  

From Leesburg, Ohio, Master Sergeant Fentress enlisted with the Air Force in 1964. Over the course of his 30 years of service as a member of the 160th Air Refueling Group, he amassed over 3,120 flying hours, including service in support of Operation Desert Storm.

During the Dec. 18 game vs. the Minnesota Wild, we welcomed United States Marine Corps Retired Lieutenant Colonel David Westin.  

A graduate of The Ohio State University, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Westin dedicated 24 years of service with the Marines. During that time, he served with the 1st Radio Battalion, the 2nd Intelligence Battalion, the Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Cyber Command at the NSA. He also completed three combat tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as deployments to Haiti and the Middle East to provide humanitarian assistance.

During the Dec. 16 game vs. the Anaheim Ducks, we welcomed United States Navy Petty Officer Second Class Grant Causey.  

From Jackson, Ohio, Petty Officer Second Class Causey enlisted with the Navy in May 2018. He was later stationed in Japan where he served three deployments aboard the USS Ronald Reagan in support of Operation Allies Refuge. He now serves with the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels, supporting the F/A-18 Super Hornet team, and participates in community outreach at air show locations.

During the Dec. 13 game vs. the Vegas Golden Knights, we welcomed United States Air Force Master Sergeant Andrew Rahke.  

From Fishers, Indiana, Master Sergeant Rahke entered the Air Force in 2006, and over the course of his career he has been deployed three times in support of major combat operations. He deployed twice to Southeast Asia in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Horn Of Africa, providing essential machining and fabrication capabilities in austere forward operating environments. In 2023, he deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, ensuring aircraft remained fully mission capable through expert maintenance and rapid problem-solving.

During the Dec. 11 game vs. the Ottawa Senators, we welcomed United States Army Staff Sergeant David Christian.  

From Pickerington, Staff Sergeant Christian enlisted with the Army in 2008 and served as a member of the 101st Airborne Division 3rd Brigade. Deployed to Afghanistan, he was a part of the focused targeting force, conducting over 126 air assault missions and raids.

During the Dec. 4 game vs. the Detroit Red Wings, we welcomed United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Joshua Grice.  

From Johnstown, Staff Sergeant Grice enlisted in 2003 and went on to complete his training as a helicopter crew chief. During his 10 years of service, he was deployed to Iraq twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and three times to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He has continued to serve our community for the last nine years as an officer with the Columbus Division of Police.

During the Nov. 28 game vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins, we welcomed United States Coast Guard Boatswain’s Mate First Class David Johnson.  

From Virginia Beach, Boatswain’s Mate First Class Johnson enlisted with the Coast Guard in March 1981. Over the course of his 20 years of service, he assisted in numerous operations that intercepted tons of illegal drugs and aided in more than 500 search and rescue missions.

During the Nov. 26 game vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs, we welcomed United States Navy Petty Officer Third Class Russ Beaman.  

From Knoxville, Tennessee, Petty Officer Third Class Beaman enlisted in 1967, and after completing basic training he was assigned to the USS Intrepid. During his four years with the Navy, he served two deployments to Vietnam as a Flight Deck Safety Officer, responsible for the safety of the catapult crew and pilots of the planes being launched.

During the Nov. 17 game vs. the Montreal Canadiens, we welcomed Ohio Air National Guard Staff Sergeant Kameron King.  

From Mansfield, Staff Sergeant King enlisted with the Ohio Army National Guard in 2011 and served for eight years as a member of the 585th Military Police before transferring to the Air National Guard. He now serves as a member of the 179th Cyberspace Wing and has served deployments to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

During the Nov. 15 game vs. the New York Rangers, we welcomed United States Navy Petty Officer Third Class Roger Rill.  

From Grandview Heights, Petty Officer Third Class Rill joined the Navy in 1968. Over the course of his four years of service, he was deployed to Camp Tien Sha in Da Nang, South Vietnam, and the Gulf of Tonkin gunnery line aboard the USS Belknap, and was later deployed to the Mediterranean and Black Seas aboard the USS New.

During the Nov. 13 game vs. the Edmonton Oilers, we welcomed United States Army Specialist Eric Ricketts.  

From Newark, Specialist Ricketts was drafted in August 1967. In 1968, he was deployed to Vietnam where he was assigned to the Long Binh post, just outside of Saigon. A year later, he was honorably discharged from the Army. While serving in Vietnam he was exposed to Agent Orange, later leading him to develop bladder and skin cancer, but due to the treatment he has received with the help of the Veterans Administration his cancer is now in remission. 

His granddaughter, Blue Jackets Boom Brigade member Isabel Mangus, presented him with this gift.

During the Nov. 1 game vs. the St. Louis Blues, we welcomed United States Air Force Master Sergeant Jeremy Mers.  

From Wauconda, Illinois, Master Sergeant Mers joined the Air Force in 1997 as a Munitions Systems Apprentice. After four years of active duty, he left the Air Force and later joined the Air Force Reserve in 2008. In 2011, he was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He now serves as a line recruiter servicing Columbus and its surrounding areas.

During the Oct. 29 game vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs, we welcomed United States Navy Reserve Electrician’s Mate Second Class Kevin McEnneny.  

In 2007, Electrician’s Mate Second Class McEnneny joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve and served as a Field Radio Operator. In 2010, he was deployed to Afghanistan where he served on the front lines. He left the Marines in 2013, and in 2021 he joined the United States Navy Reserve and just recently re-enlisted for another two years.

During the Oct. 24 game vs. the Washington Capitals, we welcomed United States Army Specialist Joseph Lay.  

From Dallas, Texas, Specialist Lay enlisted in November 2016 as an Intelligence Analyst and was stationed in South Korea from 2017 to 2018. He was later deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. In 2021, he was stationed in Germany before his honorable medical separation from the Army in 2022.

During the Oct. 18 game vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning, we welcomed United States Navy Petty Officer First Class Harry Hoffrogge. 

From Circleville, Petty Officer First Class Hoffrogge enlisted in 2010 and served as a Fire Controlman for the Tomahawk weapons systems. In 2012 he was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as a part of a team hunting pirates in the Arabian Sea and was deployed once again in 2015 for an 11-month tour.

During the Oct. 16 game vs. the Colorado Avalanche, we welcomed United States Army Staff Sergeant Danny Adams Jr.  

From Columbus, Staff Sergeant Adams joined the Army in 2006 and was trained to maintain the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and the Abrams Tank. He was later deployed with the 1st Armored Division in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Later he was deployed as a member of the 4th Infantry Division in support of Operation New Dawn.

During the Oct. 13 game vs. the New York Devils, we welcomed 99-year-old World War II veteran United States Army Corporal Burt Marsh.  

From Seneca Falls, New York, Corporal Marsh was drafted into the Army after graduating high school in 1944 and in January of the following year he was deployed overseas. Assigned to Company M of the 319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, he served as a 30-caliber heavy machine gunner earning three Battle Stars in the Battle Of The Bulge, the Rhineland Offensive and the Central Europe Campaign. He was honorably discharged from the Army in June 1946.