The Detroit Tigers Make Warrior Wishes Come True!

My dad enjoyed a “week off” before getting back in action on our 2017 Battlefields to Ballfields mission.

He did spent some time with family, but he also spent all week planning upcoming missions. This week he will be making wishes come true in Detroit, St Louis, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City & Minneapolis!

I’m sure this goes without saying, but as usual, he will be on the bus the entire week! But as he always says “when I see the smiles on the warriors faces, it makes it all worth it!”

My dad hopped on a 7:40am bus to Detroit this morning. He arrived just in time to meet up with the warriors at Whole Foods, and enjoyed lunch at HockeyTown before the game.

Operation Warrior Wishes would like to thank our friends at HockeyTown for helping us make warrior wishes come true in Detroit since 2013!

It the Ultimate Detroit sports bar located across the street from Comerica park & Ford Field. It is the perfect place for great food and drinks for any sports fan, especially before and after Tigers, Lions & Red Wings games!

Today we had the honor of hosting Army Warriors Dennis Leppek, Michael Leshuk, Earl MacGlory, James Peterson, Donna Rowell-Davies, Army Joshua Van Drese, as well as Navy warriors Rob Van Brook, Michael Thiel, Sharelle Owens & Air Force warrior Jason Ackley.

Our friend, Army Veteran Dennis Leppek, is a Peer Mentor for veterans in Detroit. He nominated many of these deserving warriors for today’s Tigers game. We have met many great new friends over the years thanks to Dennis & appreciate his support!

Only about half of our guests were able to make it early enough for lunch at Hockeytown, but they all had a great time getting to know each other. My dad made sure to snap a few pics at HockeyTown…

Before walking across the street to meet the rest of our guests and get some pics in front of the stadium. In our opinion, Comerica Park, with its big “Tigers & Bats” is one of the coolest looking stadiums from the outside!

The Tigers provided tickets to make wishes come true at today’s game! Every year since 1992, the Tigers have donated 50,000 tickets annually to deserving non profit organizations! Operation Warrior Wishes has been honored to be one of those recipients throughout the years. We cannot thank the Tigers organization enough for their generosity!

Once inside, the warriors found their seats & were treated to an incredible slug fest between the Mariners & Tigers. When I saw the score, I thought they were at a football game!

My dad said it was probably one of the most fun games he has ever made wishes come true at! The teams combined for a total of 28 runs, 40 hits and nonstop action the entire game! Thankfully the Tigers won the game 19-9! The warriors truly had a “blast” watching the offensive explosion!

After the game, Navy Veteran Sharelle Owens posted on Facebook & said “Thanks to Warrior Wishes, I had the best day ever. Had the opportunity to hang with fellow vets. Saw an amazing Tigers game. (A) Day I will remember for a long time. Thank you Craig Steichen for all that you and your son do for me and all my fellow veterans.”

It’s humbling to get messages like that. It’s a total group effort and we want to thank HockeyTown for the delicious Pre Game meal, Dennis Leppek for all of his nominations, New Era Cap for providing the Tigers caps to all the warriors & a big huge thank you to the Detroit Tigers for providing tickets & ultimate experience!