Elk+Elk is proud to honor and celebrate the men and women who serve our country. Elk+Elk is honored to be the presenting partner of Military Salutes, recognizing active duty military members and veterans, for each home game and throughout the season.
During the March 20 game vs. the Florida Panthers, we welcomed United States Air Force Airman First Class Francis Hulet and United States Navy Chief Musician Matt Harriman.
From Cincinnati, Airman First Class Hulet joined the Air Force in 1949 and served as a radio operator at Pohang, South Korea, at the 1973rd Aircraft and Airways Communications Marine Base Communications Center. There he provided navigational and weather information to all planes operating in the vicinity.
Before following in his grandfather's footsteps and serving our nation, Chief Musician Harriman earned his bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University where he was a five-year member of The Best Damn Band In The Land. For 13 years, he has served as a musical ambassador for the U.S. Naval Academy, the Navy, and the United States traveling to Canada, Scotland, Ireland, and Norway, promoting the Navy’s global presence through music while also conducting community outreach domestically.
During the March 17 game vs. the New Jersey Devils, we welcomed United States Army Retired First Sergeant Jerry Briggs.
Retired First Sergeant Briggs enlisted in 1999 as a combat engineer and later re-classed as a respiratory therapist. He deployed in support of Task Force Falcon, served as a healthcare recruiter and was a director in the Fort Stewart Emergency Operations Center. He was inducted into the Order of Military Medical Merit, named the Fort Jackson Family of the Year, and earned two military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medals before being inducted into the Fort Jackson Volunteer Hall of Fame. His supply and discipline program was recognized in 2015 as the best in the U.S. Army.
He was joined by his wife, Colleen, as they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.
During the March 15 game vs. the New York Rangers, we welcomed Ohio Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Michael Frederick.
From West Liberty, Ohio, Staff Sergeant Frederick enlisted in 2016 and graduated basic training as a 14S Avenger Crewmember. In 2018 he was deployed to Europe, where he conducted multinational training exercises across Germany, Latvia and Poland. He now serves as a squad leader in the 1174 Air Defense Artillery Brigade.
During the March 13 game vs. the Vegas Golden Knights, we welcomed United States Air Force Senior Airman Caitlyn Ayyoub.
From Manito, Illinois, Senior Airman Ayyoub enlisted with the Air Force in September 2018. Having completed the aircrew flight equipment training, she was responsible for preparing planes for flight, equipping them with supplies for any situation, and ensured that all flight and safety equipment was in perfect working order. While stationed at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas, she was recognized on seven occasions for saving the lives of aircrew members.
During the Feb. 25 game vs. the Dallas Stars, we welcomed United States Marine Corps Retired Corporal Larry Draughn.
From Dayton, Retired Corporal Draughn enlisted in 2006, and in 2008 he was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While serving his second deployment in Afghanistan, as the pointman for his squad, he stepped on an IED that detonated and led to the amputation of both of his legs and two fingers on his right hand. After receiving life-saving measures in the field, he was then hand-carried by stretcher for 45 minutes before reaching a medical evacuation vehicle.
For his service he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a “V” for valor, among others. He now proudly plays hockey for the Ohio Warriors sled hockey team.
During the Feb. 22 game vs. the Chicago Blackhawks, we welcomed United States Army Master Sergeant John Ayette and his stepfather, United States Army Sergeant First Class Greg Badger.
From Greenville, Master Sergeant Ayette enlisted with the Army in 1993 and has served deployments in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, to assist with Hurricane Katrina relief, and in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Sergeant First Class Badger enlisted with the Army in 1981, and over the course of his 22 and a half years of service he was stationed in 16 different countries and was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Desert Storm.
During the Feb. 8 game vs. the New York Rangers, we welcomed United States Navy Master Chief Jesson Anderson.
From Groesbeck, Texas, Master Chief Anderson enlisted with the Navy in June 2000 and was later deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom shortly after 9/11. Over the course of his 24 years of service, he has been promoted through the ranks and in 2023 he assumed the duties of the Region East Chief Recruiter for the Navy, overseeing 25 states, Europe and the Caribbean Islands.
During the Feb. 6 game vs. the Utah Hockey Club, we welcomed United States Air Force Master Sergeant Chris Cockrell.
From Columbus, Master Sergeant Cockrell has served deployments to Africa, Jordan and Afghanistan, and he is currently in his 16th year of service.
During the Jan. 25 game vs. the Los Angeles Kings, we welcomed United States Air Force Retired Master Sergeant Lee Stevison.
Retired Master Sergeant Stevison enlisted with the Air Force in May 1999 and over the course of his career was deployed in support of Operations Joint Forge, Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom. He also traveled to 27 African nations, training partner nations on tactics for regional sustainability and stability, as well as various aircraft maintenance and logistics courses. He retired from the Air Force in 2019 after 20 years of service.
During the Jan. 16 game vs. the San Jose Sharks, we welcomed United States Air Force Retired Command Chief Master Sergeant Mark Dyer.
A graduate of Kent State University, Retired Command Chief Master Sergeant Dyer enlisted with the Air Force in 1984 and was deployed multiple times in defense of our country. He retired in 1984 after 36 years of service, during which he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, among others.
During the Jan. 14 game vs. the Philadelphia Flyers, we welcomed United States Army First Sergeant Brad Bolog.
A third generation Army veteran, First Sergeant Bolog enlisted in January 2005. He has served four combat deployments to Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. He also currently serves our community as a sergeant with the Columbus Division of Police. He and his wife, Bailey, are currently expecting their first child, due any day.
During the Jan. 9 game vs. the Seattle Kraken, we welcomed United States Army Retired Colonel Edward Mikula.
From Columbus, Retired Colonel Mikula enlisted with the Army in January 1984 and later joined the Ohio Army National Guard where he became a commissioned engineer officer, and in 2017 he joined the U.S. Army Reserve. He has served four combat deployments to Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve.
He retired from the military in July 2023 after more than 39 years of service.
During the Jan. 4 game vs. the St. Louis Blues, we welcomed United States Air Force Colonel Eric Bernkopf.
Colonel Bernkopf entered the Air Force in 2002 as a top graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. A distinguished graduate of the Air Force Intelligence Officer Course, he has been deployed in support of special operations engagements in Colombia, Chad and Niger, as well as Iraq in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.
He now serves as the commander of the 655th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
During the Jan. 2 game vs. the Detroit Red Wings, we welcomed United States Air Force Major Carl Zunker and Captain Kimberly Zunker.
Major Zunker enlisted with the Air Force in 1997. Over the course of his 26 years of service, he has been deployed 12 times, including three tours in Iraq, three tours in Qatar, and two deployments to Korea, among others.
Captain Zunker served with the Air Force for five years as a clinical laboratory scientist and played a pivotal role in managing hospital laboratories at both Sheppard Air Force Base and Dyess Air Force Base in Texas.
During the Dec. 31 game vs. the Carolina Hurricanes, we welcomed United States Army Staff Sergeant Noah Hill.
From New Concord, Staff Sergeant Hill enlisted as a Religious Affairs Specialist in June 2011. He currently serves as an observer coach and trainer for the 174th Infantry Brigade. For his service, he has been awarded six Army Commendation Medals and is an inductee into the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps Honorable Order of St. Martin of Tours, among others.
During the Dec. 27 game vs. the Boston Bruins, we welcomed United States Army Reserves Lieutenant Colonel David Knight.
From Grove City, Lieutenant Colonel Knight enlisted with the Army in 1992. In 2005, he graduated from Capital Law School and commissioned in the Army Reserves as a judge advocate. He later served deployments to Iraq and Guantanamo Bay. For his service he was awarded the Bronze Star medal and the Meritorious Service Medal, among others.
During the Dec. 23 game vs. the Montreal Canadiens, we welcomed United States Marine Corps Corporal Alexander Calfee.
A two-time graduate of The Ohio State University, Corporal Calfee enlisted with the Marines in 1995 and was assigned to Rifle Security Duty Company at Guantanamo Bay. He later deployed in support of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and supported NATO actions in Kosovo and the Balkans.
During the Dec. 19 game vs. the New Jersey Devils, we welcomed United States Army National Guard First Sergeant Shawn Sanders.
From Lima, First Sergeant Sanders enlisted in June 2009 and served a deployment to Syria from 2022 to 2023. He now serves as a mechanical maintenance supervisor with the 237th Brigade Support Battalion. For his service he has been awarded the Bronze Star and two Army Commendation Medals, among others.
During the Dec. 14 game vs. the Anaheim Ducks, we welcomed United States Army and Ohio Army National Guard First Sergeant Jennifer Reynolds.
From Columbus, First Sergeant Reynolds enlisted in 1999 and over the course of her career has served in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Atlantic Resolve.
In 2021, she was named the Keith L. Ware Military Photographer of the Year for the National Guard, and more recently she graduated from the Master Leader Course with the title of Iron Soldier for achieving the highest ACFT score. She also currently serves our community as a police officer with the Columbus Division of Police.
During the Dec. 12 game vs. the Washington Capitals, we welcomed United States Marine Corps Corporal Duane Wipert.
From Chillicothe, Corporal Wipert enlisted with the Marines on Dec. 12, 1990. During his four years of service as a field radio operator, he was stationed with Kilo Battery, 4th Battalion, 12th Marines in Japan and with Headquarters Company, 8th Marine Regiment at Camp Lejeune. He also served a deployment to Guantanamo Bay in support of Operation Able Manner and Operation Safe Harbor.
During the Dec. 10 game vs. the Philadelphia Flyers, we welcomed United States Marine Corps Corporal Jonathan Schroth.
From Cincinnati, Corporal Schroth followed in the footsteps of his grandfathers, both of whom served in World War II, and joined the Marine Corps in 2008. He served as an aircraft rescue and firefighter specialist in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. For his service, he was awarded the Global War On Terrorism Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars, among others.
During the Nov. 29 game vs. the Calgary Flames, we welcomed United States Air Force Technical Sergeant Anthony Jordan.
Enlisting with the Air Force in August 2014, Technical Sergeant Jordan has served three overseas deployments, with two in southeast Asia and the third in Poland. For his service, he has been awarded the U.S. Air Force Achievement Medal and the U.S. Air Force Commendation medal, among others.
During the Nov. 27 game vs. the Montreal Canadiens, we welcomed United States Army Sergeant Lynn Wehr.
From Bellevue, Sergeant Wehr graduated from Worthington High School in 1965 and with some classmates formed a garage band called The Dantes. Becoming a Central Ohio hit, The Dantes opened for major artists such as Jimi Hendrix, and hit No. 1 on the charts locally with their song “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love.”
In 1969, he was then drafted into the Army, serving in D Company, 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry Division in Vietnam, and he was awarded the Bronze Star for valor for his service.
During the Nov. 23 game vs. the Carolina Hurricanes, we welcomed Ohio Air National Guard Retired Master Sergeant Roger Nauman.
Retired Master Sergeant Nauman enlisted in March 1970 and throughout his over 40 years of service he was deployed to Europe, Iceland, Greenland, Panama, Kuwait and Iraq, among others. He retired in December 2010 after serving continuously in uniform every day.
During the Nov. 21 game vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning, we welcomed OhioHealth urgent care radiology technologist and kidney cancer survivor, United States Army Private First Class Jason Palmer.
From Grove City, Private First Class Palmer served on active duty for over a year and a half and over four and a half years on inactive duty before being honorably discharged.
In June 2012, he was diagnosed with kidney cancer, which was discovered during a CT scan for appendicitis. He later underwent a radical nephrectomy to remove the cancerous kidney just one week prior to the birth of his daughter, Lilyanna.
During the Nov. 15 game vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins, we welcomed United States Army Captain Jonathan Blauvelt.
From Kingston, Ohio, Captain Blauvelt was commissioned in May 2005 with the U.S. Army Signal Corps. During his nine years of service, he was deployed to Baqubah, Iraq; Talafar, Iraq; and Bagram, Afghanistan. For his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal, among others.
During the Nov. 1 game vs. the Winnipeg Jets, we welcomed United States Army Staff Sergeant Kyle Wilson.
From Grove City, Staff Sergeant Wilson served five years of active duty before joining the Army Reserves as a military police officer. In 2023, he was deployed to Syria in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, where he conducted partner force training on basic military police operations for the Syrian Democratic Forces.
He has also served our community as a Columbus police officer for the past four years and is currently a member of the Columbus Police Honor Guard.
During the Oct. 30 game vs. the New York Islanders, we welcomed United States Air Force and Ohio Air National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Holly Hogsett.
Lieutenant Colonel Hogsett enlisted with the Air Force in May 1997 as a personnel specialist. After 11 years, she separated from the Air Force and joined the Ohio Air National Guard and commissioned as an officer and trained in health services administration.
Over the course of her 27 years of service, she has been awarded multiple Air Force commendation and achievement medals, as well as being selected as the Brigadier General Bellisario Young Healthcare Administrator of the Year for the Air National Guard.
During the Oct. 28 game vs. the Edmonton Oilers, we welcomed United States Coast Guard Gunners Mate Third Class Ted Stalbaum Jr.
Gunners Mate Third Class Stalbaum enlisted with the Coast Guard in 1990 and over his seven years of service, he assisted icebreaking, search and rescue, public relations, maritime fishing vessel inspection, drug interdiction, and maritime law enforcement. For his service, he was awarded the Commandant's Letter of Commendation Pin and the Coast Guard Special Operations Service medal with Bronze Star, among others.
During the Oct. 22 game vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs, we welcomed United States Air Force Sergeant Steve Southward.
From Springfield, Sergeant Southward enlisted in April 1994 and over the course of his 10 years with the Air Force he served in Korea, Egypt, and was deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Desert Calm.
During the Oct. 19 game vs. the Minnesota Wild, we welcomed Ohio Army National Guard Sergeant Robert Delaney.
From Bucyrus, Sergeant Delaney enlisted in February 2001, and in 2004 he was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he earned his Army Commendation Medal with “V” device for life-saving efforts in combat outside of Baghdad International Airport.
He was later deployed in support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts before being deployed to Afghanistan, where he was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in an ambush RPG attack. He was medically retired in 2019 after more than 18 years of service.
During the Oct. 17 game vs. the Buffalo Sabres, we welcomed 100-year-old World War II veteran United States Army Corporal Walter Stitt Jr.
From Marietta, Ohio, Corporal Stitt Jr. served with the 3rd Armored Division, 33rd Armored Regiment, E Company. As a gunner in a Sherman tank, he served in France, Belgium and Germany and fought in the Battle of the Bulge where his tank was one of the first to cross into Germany.
For his service he was awarded the Purple Heart with the Oak Leaf Cluster, five Battle Stars, and the French Legion of Honor Award.
During the April 16 game vs. the Carolina Hurricanes, we welcomed United States Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Lisa Harelson and Master Sergeant Brandon Harelson.
From Westland, Michigan, Senior Master Sergeant Lisa Harelson joined the Air Force in 1995 and served for more than 23 years, earning the Kosovo Campaign Medal with one Service Star and the Air and Space Campaign Medal, among others.
A native of Sacramento, California, Master Sergeant Brandon Harelson joined the Air Force in 1996 and throughout his 22 years of service he was awarded the National Defense Medal and the Global War On Terrorism Medal, among others.
They met while serving at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany in 1999 and later got married in San Antonio, Texas.
During the April 6 game vs. the Philadelphia Flyers, we welcomed United States Navy Commander Andrew Shinka.
Commander Shinka entered the Navy in 1997 through the Navy Civil Engineer Corps Collegiate Program before being commissioned through the Naval Officer Candidate School in 1999.
Through his 21 years of service, he served the Naval Construction Forces’ Seabees and deployed operationally to Okinawa, South Korea, Senegal, Spain and Kuwait in support of four combatant commanders, including combat tours to Afghanistan and Iraq, in support of the global war on terror and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
During the April 4 game vs. the New York Islanders, we welcomed United States Army Sergeant Jaron McCoy.
From Newark, Sergeant McCoy enlisted with the Army in May 2005 and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. During his nine years of service, he was combat deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
During the April 1 game vs. the Colorado Avalanche, we welcomed World War II veteran, United States Army Sergeant Harold Nims.
From Newton Falls, Ohio, Sergeant Nims volunteered for the Army before being turned away for flat feet. He was later drafted into service in 1943 and was assigned as a clerk in a military hospital in London.
At 100 years old, he recently celebrated his 75th anniversary with his wife Betty, with whom he shares four children, seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
During the March 30 game vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins, we welcomed United States Army Specialist Josh Green.
Specialist Green enlisted with the Army in 2004 and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion of the 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment. In 2006, he was deployed to Iraq, where he performed counter IED operations, long range security, mounted and dismounted patrols, among others. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for rendering medical aid to an Iraqi policeman while under fire.
During the March 17 game vs. the Winnipeg Jets, we welcomed United States Air Force Sergeant Dave Hirsch.
A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Sergeant Hirsch began his career as an F-15 Electronics Warfare Avionics Technician before transitioning to F-22s. He was later medically retired after enduring a series of injuries from an incident at White Sands Test Range where he was serving as an instructor.
During the March 16 game vs. the San Jose Sharks, we welcomed Ohio Army National Guard Specialist Nathan Bennett.
Specialist Bennett enlisted with the Ohio Army National Guard in 2014 and was deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, from 2015 to 2016 before leaving the National Guard in 2020 after six years of service.
During the March 14 game vs. the Ottawa Senators, we welcomed United States Army Sergeant First Class Michael Thompson.
From Columbus, Sergeant First Class Thompson enlisted in 1987 and served for a total of 35 years. With deployments in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, as well as Operation Iraqi Freedom, and support for Hurricanes Katrina and Gustav, he finally retired into the inactive reserves in August 2023.
During the March 7 game vs. the Edmonton Oilers, we welcomed United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Warner.
From Hanover, Pennsylvania, Lieutenant Colonel Warner entered the Air Force in January 1981. Over the course of his 28-plus year career, he served as a medical laboratory technician, a flight test engineer, and inspector general for the National Air and Space Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, among others. He retired from active duty in May 2010.
During the March 4 game vs. the Vegas Golden Knights, we welcomed United States Marine Corps Sergeant Bud Chase.
From Waltham, Mass., Sergeant Chase completed boot camp at Parris Island and his advanced training at Camp Lejeune before completing Jet Electrician School at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. He was deployed to Da Nang, Vietnam, as a member of the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542 from 1968 to 1969.
He is now currently active with the Granville American Legion and now serves as the commander for the Licking County Council of the American Legion.
During the Feb. 25 game vs. the New York Rangers, we welcomed United States Army Retired Chief Warrant Officer 3 Shawn Jones.
From Sidney, Ohio, Retired Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jones enlisted with the Army in 1996 and in 2003 was selected to attend warrant officer flight training and graduated from flight school as a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot.
He later went on to serve as the Course Manager for the Army Aviation Tactical Operations Officer’s course before retiring in 2017. During the course of his service, he spent 45 months deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq.
During the Feb. 23 game vs. the Buffalo Sabres, we welcomed United States Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Jeremy Hamilton.
From Belpre, Ohio, Senior Master Sergeant Hamilton enlisted with the Air Force in 1995. Over his 20 years of service, he served as a heavy equipment operator with various Red Horse squadrons and was deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and New Horizons, Hurricane Mitch relief, as well as numerous other deployments to five continents.
During the Feb. 10 game vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning, we welcomed United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Andrew Vadnais.
From Cincinnati, Lance Corporal Vadnais enlisted with the Marines in February 2007, and after graduating from basic training and marine combat training, he attended MOS School to become a combat engineer. He was deployed to Afghanistan from August 2008 to April 2009 to perform route clearance operations. He was medically retired from the Marine Corps in September 2011 for combat related injuries.
For his service he was awarded the Afghan Campaign Medal with the Bronze Star and the National Defense Service Medal, among others.
During the Jan. 19 game vs. the New Jersey Devils, we welcomed United States Marine Corps Sergeant Taylor DeCicco and United States Coast Guard Retired Fireman Kaitlin DeCicco.
During his five years of service, Sergeant DeCicco served as a Military Working Dog (MWD) handler as a member of MP Support Company, 2nd Marine Headquarters, and was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He later served as an instructor for Combat Tracking Dog (CTD) and Specialized Search Dog (SSD) courses before being honorably discharged.
Fireman DeCicco enlisted with the Coast Guard in 2014 and served as an Aviation Deckhand and Aviation Electronic Technician in support of search and rescue missions, maritime law enforcement, environmental protection missions, and small boat missions. She retired from the Coast Guard in 2017 after three years of service.
During the Jan. 15 game vs. the Vancouver Canucks, we welcomed United States Army Staff Sergeant Colleen Wiley.
Having served from 1990 to 2004, Staff Sergeant Wiley earned her eligibility for the VFW while serving with the 327th Military Police Battalion in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Bagram, Afghanistan. After leaving the Army, she has served in numerous roles with the VFW at the district, department and national level.
After retiring from a 20-year career with the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office last year, she became the first ever female commander of the VFW Department for the State of Ohio.
During the Jan. 13 game vs. the Seattle Kraken, we welcomed United States Marine Corps Private First Class Kenneth Mescher.
From Osgood, Ohio, Private First Class Mescher enlisted with the Marines in May 1968. He was deployed to Vietnam where he earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and a Purple Heart, among others, before he was honorably discharged in 1969.
During the Jan. 6 game vs. the Minnesota Wild, we welcomed United States Army Retired Staff Sergeant Odin Danko.
From Columbus, Retired Staff Sergeant Danko enlisted with the Army in 2005. Throughout his seven years of service, he was deployed on two tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal with four campaign stars and the Army Commendation Medal, among others.
During the Jan. 2 game vs. the Boston Bruins, we welcomed United States Army Captain Brandon Barcus.
From Columbus, Captain Barcus enlisted with the Army Reserves in 2017 and during his six years of service he has served as a Company Commander and was once mobilized to South Korea.
During the Dec. 23 game vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs, we welcomed United States Army Reserves Sergeant Pat Claybaugh.
From Belle Vernon, Pa., Sergeant Claybaugh enlisted in March 2010. Over his six years of service, he was deployed to Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, as well as Bagram, Afghanistan, where he briefed current Secretary of Defense, General Lloyd Austin.
During the Dec. 21 game vs. the Washington Capitals, we welcomed United States Army Private Ralph Deitenbeck.
From Roseville, Ohio, Private Deitenbeck enlisted in the Army in August 1994. Throughout his three years of service, he served as a member of a border patrol unit in El Centro, Calif., before transferring to 3rd Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment as a member of Delta Company, and later Line Company Charlie. There he was tasked with maintaining and repairing Apache helicopters.
During the Dec. 16 game vs. the New Jersey Devils, we welcomed United States Navy Retired Petty Officer First Class Kathleen Denson.
From Alliance, Ohio, Retired Petty Officer First Class Denson enlisted in October 1986 and spent her first years of service as an air traffic controller in the Philippines and Texas before switching to weather analysis and forecasting as an aerographer’s mate in 1991.
During her 20 years of service, she took on many other duties, including career counselor, forecast duty officer, and tactical anti-submarine warfare, among others.
During the Dec. 10 game vs. the Florida Panthers, we welcomed United States Army Private Dan Langshaw.
From Brunswick, Ohio, Private Langshaw served as a watercraft operator for the Army, working closely with the U.S. Navy on transporting cargo and supplies in the global war on terrorism. After an injury brought an end to his military career, he earned a degree in political science from Cleveland State University and now continues to serve his fellow veterans working as a senior veteran service member for the VA.
During the Dec. 8 game vs. the St. Louis Blues, we welcomed United States Marine Corps Sergeant Michael K. Ervin.
From Lucasville, Ohio, Sergeant Ervin enlisted with the Marines in 2002 and went on to complete his recruit training in Parris Island. He was then stationed at Marine Barracks 8th and I in Washington D.C., where he served as a member of the commandant’s own drum and bugle corps.
In 2006, he was honorably discharged and went on to join the Ohio State Highway Patrol. He now serves as a trooper in Chillicothe and earned the title of Trooper of the Year for 2023 at the Chillicothe post.
During the Dec. 5 game vs. the Los Angeles Kings, we welcomed United States Marine Corps Corporal James Needs.
From Shelby, Ohio, Corporal Needs enlisted with the Marines after graduating high school in 1968. In July 1969, he was deployed to Vietnam with the 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 3rd Platoon as a machine gunner. After 13 months in Vietnam, he received an early discharge and returned to the U.S. in August of 1970.
For his service he was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and the Presidential Unit Citation, among others.
During the Dec. 1 game vs. the Ottawa Senators, we welcomed Ohio Army National Guard Major Aaron Starr.
A Graduate of Tiffin University, Major Starr completed the ROTC program through Bowling Green State University and was commissioned to active duty with the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant of Field Artillery. During five years of active duty service, he was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and to Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
In 2019, he joined the Ohio Army National Guard and currently serves as the commander of the 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment and as the Public Affairs Officer for Ohio’s National Guard Response Force.
During the Nov. 29 game vs. the Montreal Canadiens, we welcomed United States Army Captain Corey Fox.
From Barberton, Ohio, Captain Fox graduated from the United States Military Academy in 2018 before going on to serve as an infantry officer at Fort Carson, Colo. While there he served as rifle platoon leader, mortar platoon leader, company executive officer, and company commander. He concluded his service earlier this year after commanding Fort Carson's Ready Company, running the Army’s top pre-Ranger program and combatives program.
During the Nov. 27 game vs. the Boston Bruins, we welcomed United States Air Force Reserve Retired Lieutenant Colonel Joe Alvarez.
From Crown Point, Indiana, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Alvarez graduated from the Ohio State University Dental School in 1988. In September 1997, he enlisted and was assigned to the 44th Airlift Wing at Wright Patterson Air Force Base as a dental officer. Throughout his service he was deployed on eight humanitarian missions to various countries in Africa and Latin America.
In 2015 he was medically discharged due to a heart condition and in 2018 he received a heart transplant. He now serves as an ambassador for Lifeline of Ohio, informing the public of the need for donors for organ transplantation.
During the Nov. 22 game vs. the Chicago Blackhawks, we welcomed United States Army Sergeant Chad Blakeley.
Enlisting with the Army National Guard in March 1997, Sergeant Blakeley began his military career as an automated logistic supply specialist before deciding to switch to active duty in October 1998. In September 2001, he was promoted to sergeant and in 2003 he was deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Later that year his unit crossed into Iraq and continued to perform daily supply missions in Iraq until 2004, and he ended his military career in 2005. He now serves as the Special Olympics and Community First Coordinator for the Fayette County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
During the Nov. 14 game vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins, we welcomed United States Marine Corps Retired Staff Sergeant Joseph Raccio.
From Lorain, Ohio, retired Staff Sergeant Raccio enlisted in April 1994 and was stationed at Camp Lejeune for most of his military career. He also served deployments to Japan and Iraq. In May 2014, he retired from active duty at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point after 20 years of service.
For his service he was awarded three Navy Achievement Medals and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, among others.
During the Nov. 9 game vs. the Dallas Stars, we welcomed United States Marine Corps Retired Gunnery Sergeant Israel Arroyo Jr.
From Brooklyn, New York, retired Gunnery Sergeant Arroyo Jr. enlisted with the Marines in March 1997 and went on to complete his recruit training at Parris Island. Serving deployments as a member of the 24th and 26th Marine Expeditionary Units, he participated in operational and combat tours in Kosovo, Albania, Liberia, Djibouti and two separate tours in Iraq.
For his service he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Campaign Medal, among others.
During the Nov. 2 game vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning, we welcomed United States Army Power Generator Specialist John Bearden.
A native of Detroit, Specialist Bearden served in the Army for nearly 6½ years and was stationed in Germany, the Philippines, Fort Bragg, Fort Leonard, Fort Hood and Camp Lejeune. A cancer survivor, he later went on to work for over forty years as an ironworker and OTR truck driver.
During the Oct. 28 game vs. the New York Islanders, we welcomed United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Allen Gambrel.
From Middlesboro, Kentucky, Staff Sergeant Gambrel enlisted with the Marines right out of high school in 2006 and was first stationed in Okinawa, Japan. In 2008, he was deployed to Iraq as a member of the 5th ANGLICO Unit, serving as a machine gunner.
After leaving active duty he enlisted with the Marine Corps Reserve while attending the University of Kentucky and was honorably discharged after 13 years of service.
During the Oct. 24 game vs. the Anaheim Ducks, we welcomed United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Trent Turner.
From West Jordan, Utah, Lance Corporal Turner enlisted with the Marines in 1991 and over the course of his three and a half years of service he was deployed to over 10 different countries, with main deployments to Okinawa, Japan; Camp Pendleton, Calif.; and Mogadishu, Somalia. He received his honorable medical discharge from injuries sustained while in Somalia.
For his service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the joint meritorious unit award, among others.
During the Oct. 20 game vs. the Calgary Flames, we welcomed United States Army Specialist Rodney Howdyshell.
From Logan, Ohio, Specialist Howdyshell enlisted in the Army right out of high school in 1985, following in the footsteps of his father, grandfathers, uncles and cousins, all of whom served in the Armed Forces. He served as a self-propelled field artillery systems mechanic with the 3rd Armored Division in West Germany before being assigned to the 194th Armored Brigade at Fort Knox.
After being honorably discharged in 1990, he served two additional years with the Ohio National Guard before joining the Lancaster Fire Department and just recently retired after 29 years of service.
During the Oct. 16 game vs. the Detroit Red Wings, we welcomed United States Army Specialist Tyler Wade.
From New Concord, Ohio, Specialist Wade enlisted in the Army after graduating from high school in 2019. After completing tanker training at Fort Benning, Ga., he was transferred to Fort Irwin in California where he served for almost four years. Recently reenlisting, he has reclassed as an air controller and will be transferred to Fort Novosel, Ala., next year.
During the Oct. 14 game vs. the New York Rangers, we welcomed United States Marine Corps Sergeant JD Holbrook.
From Springfield, Sergeant Holbrook joined the Marine Corps in 2006 as an infantryman and served several deployments to Iraq from 2007 to 2009. In 2010, Holbrook became a combat instructor for Marine Corps officers at Quantico, Va.
He went on to serve as an infantry advisor for the Republic of Georgia army in 2012 before serving a deployment in Afghanistan in 2013. After a total of three years, ten months, and 29 days in a combat theater over eight total years served, he left the Marines in 2014.
During the Oct. 12 game vs. the Philadelphia Flyers, we welcomed United States Army Sergeant Major Chris Gauger.
From Columbus, Sergeant Major Gauger enlisted in 2002 after graduating high school. In 2003, he was deployed to Iraq as a member of the 101st Airborne Division. He later served another deployment to Iraq in 2011 as a member of the 25th Infantry Division before returning home and completing his bachelor’s degree in environmental science from The Ohio State University in 2012.
A graduate of the U.S. Army Air Assault Course and Army Jumpmaster Course, he was recently promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major after 21 years of service.