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Health & Fitness

Plymouth Whalers' Veteran of the Game Stirs Patriotic Passion

There is a nice moment around the ten-minute mark of the first period of nearly every Plymouth Whalers home game at Compuware Arena.

That’s when the Whalers acknowledge the Veteran of The Game.  And inevitably, the veteran of military service receives a standing ovation.

All conflicts – going back to World War I – have been acknowledged in the four seasons that the Whalers have been honoring a Vet of the Game.

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Most veterans – men and women, young or old - are soft-spoken about their accomplishments, but their smiles during the ovation tell a heart-warming story.

The Whalers are looking for veterans to honor during each home game the rest of the season.  If you have a family member or sibling that you would like to honor – or know of any veteran you’d like to nominate – please contact George Defenthaler at (734) 453-8400, ext. 62504, or email George atgeorged@plymouthwhalers.com.

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You can also use this link to nominate a deserving veteran.

Here’s a brief look at some of the veterans honored this season:

David Laverty - David was a combat engineer in Vietnam, who earned several medals during his years in service.  David is a current member of the Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and VFO post and currently resides in Redford.

Mr. Laverty is the father of Plymouth Whalers’ photographer Rena Laverty.

John, Joesph, James Burkart - John served four years in the US Navy Seabees from 1968-72 and two years in the US Navy Reserves from 83-85, and deployed for a combat tour to Vietnam in 70-71. John is the father of four military veterans.

Son, Joseph served in the US Army reserves and has worked as a civilian for the Department of Navy for nine years and was named the NAV-SEA Engineer of the Year in 2009. He just returned Nov 8th from an eight-month deployment to Afghanistan, where he was technical support to the US Army, Navy and Marine Corps Special Forces.

Son, James is in his eighth year as a Captain in the US Marine Corps. He deployed for a seven-month combat tour to Afghanistan with the 1st Infantry Battalion 9th Marines in 2011. He is now stationed at the US Army JAG School in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Steve Williams - Steve served in the USMC from 1983-89. He served in the 1st Battalion 3rd Marines in Kaneohe Bay and Oahu, Hawaii. Steve also served in the 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan he provided relief for Marine rifle companies involved in Beirut Barracks explosion, after he was promoted to Corporal.

Jason Francolini - Jason was a Sergeant in the US Army for nine years, four years of active duty with the 1st infantry division and five years in the New Jersey National Guard. He served in two combats in Iraq as a medic and was promoted to Sergeant and given a squad leader position in 2006. Jason was head of a squad of 4 medics during a 12-month tour in Baghdad.

Jason will be graduating from the University of Michigan this December earning his Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering.   

Mark Lindke - Mark was a County Veterans Counselor in 1974 and the Director of Washtenaw County Department of Veterans Affairs in 1996 retiring in October 2010. Mark also served as the President of the Michigan Association of County Veterans Counselors and is currently the Ex-Officio of the MACVC.

Mark remains active and is part of the Buddy-to-Buddy Volunteer Veteran Program.

Many veterans are interviewed during the game in which they are honored. Check out some of the interviews here.


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