STEVE SOUTHWARD, Oct. 22, Toronto

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.

ROB DELANEY, Oct. 19, Minnesota

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.

WALTER STITT JR., Oct. 17, Buffalo

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.

BRANDON AND LISA HARELSON, April 16, Carolina

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.

ANDREW SHINKA, April 6, Philadelphia

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.

JARON McCOY, April 4, New York Islanders

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.

HAROLD NIMS, April 1, Colorado

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.

JOSH GREEN, March 30, Pittsburgh

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.

DAVE HIRSCH, March 17, Winnipeg

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.

NATHAN BENNETT, March 16, San Jose

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.

MICHAEL THOMPSON, March 14, Ottawa

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.

MATTHEW WARNER, March 7, Edmonton

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.

BUD CHASE, March 4, Vegas

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.

SHAWN JONES, Feb. 25, New York Rangers

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.

JEREMY HAMILTON, Feb. 23, Buffalo

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.

ANDREW VADNAIS, Feb. 10, Tampa Bay

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.

TAYLOR and KAITLIN DeCICCO, Jan. 19, New Jersey

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.

COLLEEN WILEY, Jan. 15, Vancouver

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.

KENNETH MESCHER, Jan. 13, Seattle

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.

ODIN DANKO, Jan. 6, Minnesota

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.

BRANDON BARCUS, Jan. 2, Boston

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.

PAT CLAYBAUGH, Dec. 23, Toronto

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.

RALPH DEITENBECK, Dec. 21, Washington

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.

KATHLEEN DENSON, Dec. 16, New Jersey

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.

DANIEL LANGSHAW, Dec. 10, Florida

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.

MICHAEL K. ERVIN, Dec. 8, St. Louis

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.

JAMES NEEDS, Dec. 5, Los Angeles

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.

AARON STARR, Dec. 1, Ottawa

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.

COREY FOX, Nov. 29, Montreal

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.

JOE ALVAREZ, Nov. 27, Boston

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.

CHAD BLAKELEY, Nov. 22, Chicago

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.

JOSEPH RACCIO, Nov. 14, Pittsburgh

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.

ISRAEL ARROYO JR., Nov. 9, Dallas

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.

JOHN BEARDEN, Nov. 2, Tampa Bay 

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.

ALLEN GAMBREL, Oct. 28, New York Islanders

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.

TRENT TURNER, Oct. 24, Anaheim

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.

RODNEY HOWDYSHELL, Oct. 20, Calgary

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.

TYLER WADE, Oct. 16, Detroit

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.

JD HOLBROOK, Oct. 14, New York Rangers

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.

CHRIS GAUGER, Oct. 12, Philadelphia

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.