Teams 
When Justin Verlander takes the mound at Comerica Park, he strives for victory. This season, his outings on the hill takes on a new meaning.
For each of his home starts, Verlander hosts Veterans from the John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Detroit and the Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System. These Veterans sustained injuries or illness in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom or in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. The Veterans along with their families cheer on the Tigers from the comfort of Verlander's personal luxury suite. After serving our country, the special day provides American veterans the opportunity to enjoy a Tigers game with their family. Veterans receive a personalized welcome letter from Verlander; all guests receive a Verlander's Victory for Veterans t-shirt and are welcomed on the videoboard during the game.
When you see Verlander on the mound, he is not only playing for his team and Tigers fans around the world, he is also playing for America's heroes.
In recognition of the 10th anniversary and to honor the men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty during the attacks on 9-11, the Detroit Tigers joined forces with the men and women of local fire and police departments along with first responders to commemorate the National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11, 2011.
The Tigers donated 2,500 tickets to local first responders, firefighters and police officers along with their families to attend the game when the Tigers took on the Minnesota Twins. Over 500 first responders, firefighters and police officers were on the field at Comerica Park to be recognized for their service to our local communities. The National Anthem was performed by Peaceful Authority, a quartet of retired and active police officers from Flint, Michigan. During the National Anthem, members of the Wayne County Sherriff's Department held a large American flag in centerfield while the honor guards from the Farmington Hills Police and Fire Departments presented the colors of the United States of America. A moment of remembrance and silence was observed prior to the National Anthem.
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the attacks in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania, the Detroit Tigers invited 10 local individuals to throw the ceremonial first pitch to represent all the men and women who assisted the New York Police and Fire Department in their greatest time of need. The 10 individuals are from the greater Detroit community and all shipped out to New York to help the citizens of New York after the attack. The special guests included:
After the first pitches, the Detroit Tigers recognized Doug Ruthven, the individual who drove the Little Caesars Love Kitchen to New Jersey. One week after the attacks, Ruthven arrived in New Jersey with the Love Kitchen. For 10 days, Ruthven worked in partnership with the Salvation Army to serve Little Caesars Pizza to rescue workers at Ground Zero.
Moments before the Tigers took the field, the Detroit Tigers recognized Firefighter Reginald Johnson of the Detroit Fire Department from Ladder 20 for his service to public safety. After a 12 year career as a paralegal, he was inspired to change careers after responding to fire as a volunteer for the American Red Cross. That fire claimed the life of a young child.
The emotional ceremony ended with Tigers fans giving a standing ovation to all honored guests as they marched off the field.
To celebrate the dedication and sacrifice of all branches of the military and their many veterans, the Detroit Tigers hosted Armed Forces and Veteran Recognition Day on Memorial Day.
The Tigers donated 2,500 tickets to active service members and veterans, along with their families, to attend the game when the Tigers took on the Minnesota Twins. A special performance of the National Anthem was sung by Technical Sergeant James Donaldson of the 127th Wing, Michigan Air National Guard from Selfridge Air National Guard Base. After that National Anthem, Christopher Sardo, Senior Vice Commander of the Disabled American Veterans, Colonel Michael Thomas of the Michigan Air National Guard from Selfridge Air National Guard Base and Major William Burnett of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc each threw a ceremonial first pitch. Moments before the Tigers took the field, Captain Penny Carroll of the Michigan Air National Guard delivered the official game ball.
The Tigers recognize the devotion and bravery every current service member carries out, while also remembering the duty served by the many veterans across our nation.
A new tradition at Comerica Park, the Detroit Tigers feature active members of the Armed Forces throughout the season by including them as part of the pregame festivities. On select days, a current member of the Armed Forces who has recently returned from deployment receive the opportunity to deliver the official game ball to the pitcher's mound in front of the crowd at Comerica Park moments prior to game time. Although only one service member is honored each time, game ball deliveries served as a thank you from the Detroit Tigers to the many service members serving our country around the world.
