thedrifter
02-02-09, 08:01 AM
Marines thank hockey players for caring
American flag flown in Iraq, thank-you note given to young Wolves
Monday, February 2, 2009 6:23 AM EST
By Mitch Hotts, Macomb Daily Staff Writer
A local youth hockey team not only has learned a life lesson about hard work and giving, but also has made a connection with members of American armed forces serving in Iraq.
The Mount Clemens Wolves — made up of youngsters ages 8-9 — this week received a special gift including an American flag that was flown over the troops at Camp Rawah in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The gift was in response to Christmas stockings stuffed with care packages the team members prepared for the troops over the holidays.
"We filled the stockings with food and games and hand warmers," said 9-year-old player Brendan Dempsey of Macomb Township. "We put a bunch of different stuff in there for them."
The U.S. Marines who received the packages sent back a display box containing a folded American flag with a certificate of authenticity, a color photograph of some of the Marines, and a note of thanks.
"Thanks to all, you made a difference," the note stated, signed by Sgt. J.K. Mour. He also noted the flag had flown over their barracks on Jan. 9, 2009 and said there are only about 10 flags the Marines had sent back home overseas, making it more special.
Renee Knoche of Grosse Pointe Park, whose 8-year-old son, Chazz, is on the Wolves, said the youngsters decided to send the troops holiday gifts as a way of giving back to the service personnel who protect the United States. She was surprised to see how seriously the kids took the assignment.
"The coaches spend a lot of time with our kids talking about working hard and keeping dedicated to a goal," Knoche said. "I think the kids simply applied those values to this project."
Coach Joe Orr agreed.
"They are told to make sacrifices and keeping their school and family first," Orr said. "They got a big kick out of getting the flag. They all wanted to hold it and look at it. I was pretty shocked the troops sent them a letter back. It's pretty special."
Each of the 13 players — 12 boys and one girl — will be allowed to take the display box home for a few days. It eventually will be permanently housed in the trophy case at Mount Clemens Ice Arena, the team's home ice.
Logan Rey, 8, of Clinton Township, described the gift as a "good thing."
"They're fighting over there for us and we wanted to let them know we were still thinking about them," he said.
The team's benevolent gesture extended back to their home rink where they defeated the Dallas Stars team 5-3. Afterwards, the players gave each Dallas player a Wolf pin as a show of good sportsmanship.
"We want to be classy and good sports and show the Dallas team we appreciate them coming so far from home to play us," said coach Loren Rey.
Ellie
American flag flown in Iraq, thank-you note given to young Wolves
Monday, February 2, 2009 6:23 AM EST
By Mitch Hotts, Macomb Daily Staff Writer
A local youth hockey team not only has learned a life lesson about hard work and giving, but also has made a connection with members of American armed forces serving in Iraq.
The Mount Clemens Wolves — made up of youngsters ages 8-9 — this week received a special gift including an American flag that was flown over the troops at Camp Rawah in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The gift was in response to Christmas stockings stuffed with care packages the team members prepared for the troops over the holidays.
"We filled the stockings with food and games and hand warmers," said 9-year-old player Brendan Dempsey of Macomb Township. "We put a bunch of different stuff in there for them."
The U.S. Marines who received the packages sent back a display box containing a folded American flag with a certificate of authenticity, a color photograph of some of the Marines, and a note of thanks.
"Thanks to all, you made a difference," the note stated, signed by Sgt. J.K. Mour. He also noted the flag had flown over their barracks on Jan. 9, 2009 and said there are only about 10 flags the Marines had sent back home overseas, making it more special.
Renee Knoche of Grosse Pointe Park, whose 8-year-old son, Chazz, is on the Wolves, said the youngsters decided to send the troops holiday gifts as a way of giving back to the service personnel who protect the United States. She was surprised to see how seriously the kids took the assignment.
"The coaches spend a lot of time with our kids talking about working hard and keeping dedicated to a goal," Knoche said. "I think the kids simply applied those values to this project."
Coach Joe Orr agreed.
"They are told to make sacrifices and keeping their school and family first," Orr said. "They got a big kick out of getting the flag. They all wanted to hold it and look at it. I was pretty shocked the troops sent them a letter back. It's pretty special."
Each of the 13 players — 12 boys and one girl — will be allowed to take the display box home for a few days. It eventually will be permanently housed in the trophy case at Mount Clemens Ice Arena, the team's home ice.
Logan Rey, 8, of Clinton Township, described the gift as a "good thing."
"They're fighting over there for us and we wanted to let them know we were still thinking about them," he said.
The team's benevolent gesture extended back to their home rink where they defeated the Dallas Stars team 5-3. Afterwards, the players gave each Dallas player a Wolf pin as a show of good sportsmanship.
"We want to be classy and good sports and show the Dallas team we appreciate them coming so far from home to play us," said coach Loren Rey.
Ellie