Veteran of the Game Returns in Plymouth for 2011-12

The Plymouth Whalers — in association with Quicken Loans and Compuware Corporation — are proud to announce the return of the Veteran of the Game, a unique tradition started last season by honoring men and women who have served the United States in the military.

The Veteran of the Game and their immediate family attends a Whalers game as a guest of the team. An interview with the veteran is featured on Whalers television, radio on 88.1FM WSDP, and internet streaming onwww.plymouthwhalers.com. The veteran is acknowledged for their service at the game and receives a commemorative coin.

Additionally, Quicken Loans makes a cash donation to the United Service Organizations (USO) on behalf of each Veteran of the Game.

The response to the Veteran of the Game by fans has been spontaneous and heartfelt.  The vet is acknowleged to the crowd around the ten-minute mark of the first period in each game.  Each vet receives a standing ovation, every game.

Among the veterans last season was World War II vet Calvin Mason, who is 84-years-young.

At that time, there was no doubt that Mr. Mason was going to serve in the Armed Forces. The attitude was the mood of the entire country at that time in history.

 “Well, first thing you’ve got to remember at the time I was 18 or 19 years old,” Mr. Mason said. “That makes a big difference with how you look at things like that. And fortunately, it was getting toward the end of the war. When we dropped the bomb, I was in southern Mindanao…Of course, the war ended shortly after we dropped the (atomic) bomb, so from the time I shipped out of California in April, the war was on for about four or five months, and then it ended. So, that was quick.”

See Mr. Mason's interview.   See John Smeekens' interview from last season.  Smeekens is related to Alex Aleardi, who plays for the Whalers.

The Veteran of the Game for this season's home opener on Sept. 24 against Erie is World War II veteran Gene Overholt.  Here's his story:

"I received my draft notice on my 18th birthday – February 18th, 1942.  I was called up several months later and was discharged in March, 1946.

"I was placed in the Army Air Force.  I was assigned to repair damaged aircraft which has been returned after combat.  After college entrance education testing, I was qualified to enter the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) and was assigned to Stanford University to study Electrical Engineering.  Later, I was assigned to the 3187th Signal Service Battalion.  My assignment was to install and maintain special communication equipment (carrier, repeaters, switchboards, etc).

"In August 1944, the 3187th received orders to prepare for assignment to the European Theatre of Operation.  My unit landed in France, just south of Le Havre and proceeded through Belgium, Netherlands and Germany.  I had an 11-man communication team attached to the 9th Army during “The Battle of the Bulge”.  The team provided communications to the combat zone back to the division and army headquarters.

"As we were moving through Germany, we captured a German underground communication center with new innovative equipment.  I was given the task to convert it to our use to provide communications back to Paris, and to London, which was eventually received in the United States.

"After the surrender of Germany on V-E Day, the 3187th Signal Service Battalion was ordered to Wiesbaden, Germany to set up the communication center for the U.S. Army of Occupation.

"I received two Bronze stars for my service in the European Theatre of Operation."

The Whalers and their fans, Quicken Loans and Compuware Corporation salutes all veterans.  If you'd like to nominate someone for the Veteran of the Game, please call Julius Passeri at (734) 453-8400, or email him at juliusp@plymouthwhalers.com.

COMPUWARE ARENA HIRES VERITEX FOR TICKET SERVICE: Compuware Arena has chosen Veritix®, the state-of-the-art paperless ticketing, event marketing and relationship management technology company, to provide ticketing services, including the exclusive Veritix product Flash Seats®.

The Veritix platform allows the arena and team to maximize fan outreach and retention.

The partnership with Compuware Arena is an exclusive, multi-year agreement.

"Veritix gives us the ability to take their technology and put the Compuware Arena and Plymouth Whalers brand on it," said Dennis Moore, vice president of finance and administration for Compuware Arena.  "Offering paperless tickets via Flash Seats – where fans can safely and simply buy, manage, sell or transfer their tickets online – gives us a significant advantage in the market and distinguishes us in the industry. This kind of service will enhance our reputation as one of the most innovative, fan-friendly organizations in the region." 

Flash Seats® gives ticket buyers the opportunity to eliminate traditional paper tickets, and select a convenient form of ID that they already carry with them, such as a driver's license or credit card, as their method of entry to a given event.