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The program will honor men and women who have served in the armed forces at Monsters games. The first Veteran of the Game will be on Friday, November 5, 2010 at 7:30pm against the Chicago Wolves at The Q Arena.
Veterans will be selected by the USO (United Service Organizations) of Northern Ohio after being nominated by individuals, military bases or veteran organizations, such as Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American veterans (DAV), American Legion posts. Veterans from all branches of the military, retired or active duty, and from all wars who live in the Cleveland-Northern Ohio area are eligible. Fans are invited to submit nominations to the USO of Northern Ohio office by email (events.usonoh@gmail.com) or fax (216-265-3678).
The Veteran of the Game and their immediate family will be admitted free of charge to a Monsters game. The veteran will be acknowledged for their service at the game and their bio (and photo if available) will be posted on the Monsters website.
In recognition of daily sacrifices and contributions made by active duty military members, a $250 donation will be made on behalf of the Veterans of the Games to the USO of Northern Ohio. The USO is a nonprofit organization that supports military personnel in 140 locations globally with morale boosting programs.
The program is personally important to the Monsters organization.
“We are proud to partner with Quicken Loans to honor the true heroes amongst us – those that have served in the armed forces. They have provided a tremendous service to our country and this is the least we can do for them. We hope this program begins to show our appreciation for these veterans,” said Kerry Bubolz, President of the Monsters.
On April 1, 2011, Quicken Loans will make a $1,500 donation to the USO on behalf of the nominated veteran, bringing the season donation total to $5,000. The Monsters believe this program highlights the teams’ commitment to the community and gratitude towards veterans and military members.
 November 5th Veteran of the Game: Officer Matthew Rudolph |
 November 12th Veteran of the Game: SFC Gwen Leistner |
 November 19th Veteran of the Game: SGT John A. Burda |
 November 27th Veteran of the Game: Officer Gale Wursthorn |
 December 3rd Veteran of the Game: SGT Bill O'Malley |
 December 11th Veteran of the Game: SGT Douglas Miles |
 January 22nd Veteran of the Game: Master SGT Austin Asher |
 January 29th Veteran of the Game: Airman Steven Douglass |
 January 29th Veteran of the Game: Staff SGT Dennis Douglass |
 January 29th Veteran of the Game: Staff SGT Robert Douglass |
 February 5th Veteran of the Game: RM-3 Murle McLaughlin |
 February 26th Veteran of the Game: PVT 1st Class Vernon Schwering |
 February 12th Veteran of the Game: E-5 Sergeant Robert Mauer |
 March 4th Veteran of the Game: Sergeant Brock Scott |
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| More About These Veterans |
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Rank: First Class Petty Officer
Branch of Service: Navy
Military Occupational Specialty: Gas Turbine Engine Technician
Dates of Service / Duty Stations: n/a
Medals: Navy Commendation, Marine Corps. Achievement Medal
Gwen Leistner
Rank: Sergeant First Class
Branch of Service: Army
Military Occupational Specialty: n/a
Dates of Service: 1976-1996
Medals: n/a
John A. Burda
Rank: SGT
Branch of Service: United States Marine Corps.
Military Occupational Specialty: Aircraft Electrician
Dates of Service / Duty Stations: Jun. 1943 - Feb. 1946 Boot Camp @ San Diego Marine Recruit Depot; Saipan, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Yokuska, Japan (his unit, VMB 612, was the first American military to enter Japan the day after the Japanese surrendered. Tyrone Powers piloted the plane that took them to Japan).
Medals: n/a
Gale Wursthorn
Rank: Petty Officer 2nd Class
Branch of Service: Navy
Military Occupational Specialty: Journalist
Dates of Service / Duty Stations: 1961-1967 Pensacola FL., Great Lakes Naval Hospital, Norfolk, VA.
Medals: Good Conduct and National Defense
Bill O'Malley
Rank: E-5
Branch of Service: Army
Military Occupational Specialty: Heavy Vehicle Driver
Dates of Service / Duty Stations: 1966-1972 Vietnam from '66-'67
Medals: n/a
Douglas Miles
Rank: Retired Master Sergeant
Branch of Service: Air Force
Military Occupational Specialty: Intelligence
Dates of Service: Jan 1985-Jan 2006
Medals: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Service Ribbon, Iraqi Service Ribbon
Austin Asher
Rank: Retired Master Sergeant
Branch of Service: Army
Military Occupational Specialty: Trucks-Food Service
Dates of Service: 1967-1969, 1981-2010
Medals: Three tours in Iraq
Steven Douglass
Rank: Airman
Branch of Service: Air Force
Military Occupational Specialty: Refueling, Fire and Rescue, and Civil Engineering
Dates of Service: N/A
Medals: N/A
Dennis Douglass
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Branch of Service: Air Force
Military Occupational Specialty: Weapons Support
Dates of Service: N/A
Medals: N/A
Robert Douglass
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Branch of Service: Air Force
Military Occupational Specialty: Avionics, Radar, and Early Warning Systems
Dates of Service: N/A
Medals: N/A
Murle McLaughlin
Rank: Class 3 Radioman
Branch of Service: US Navy
Military Occupational Specialty: Radioman
Dates of Service / Stations: Dec. 1944 - 1946 in Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Japan
Medals: National Defense, Pacific, Asiatic Pacific, WWII Medal, Occupation Service - Japan, Victory over Japan, and Good Conduct
Vernon Schwering
Rank: Private First Class
Branch of Service: Army Air Corps.
Military Occupational Specialty: Medic with P-47 Fighter Squadron
Dates of Service: March 1943 / November 1945
Medals: Good Conduct, Distinguished Unit Badge, American Campaign Medal, European Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (with 6 Bronze Stars), and WWII Victory Medal
Robert Mauer
Rank: E-5 Sergeant
Branch of Service: Ohio Army National Guard
Military Occupational Specialty: Field Artillery
Dates of Service: September 1986 - September 1994
Medals: N/A
Brock Scott
Rank: Sergeant
Branch of Service: USMC
Military Occupational Specialty: Administration
Dates of Service: 2000-Present (Invasion of Iraq 2003)
Medals: Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal
