Hockey, Hospitals and the luck of the Irish!

by: Lumpy (Michigan Captain)

On Saturday, March 10th, members of the Great Lakes Base and Great Lakes Garrison paid a visit to CS Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  The troops were escorted around several different floors of the hospital and to say we were well received would be an understatement.  One of the "more experienced" hospital workers told us that in the 30 years she has been working at the hospital, she has NEVER seen a reaction from the patients like we recieved: not the Red Wings, Lions, or Tigers players that visit -not Pistons legend Isaiah Thomas - NOT EVEN SANTA CLAUSE!!!!

You can learn more about CS Mott Children's Hospital by visiting http://www.mottchildren.org/

Photo courtesy of Chris Blackstock

Later that same day, many of the troopers and rebels from the hospital visit made their way over to the Ann Arbor Ice Cube where they were joined by a few more members for "Star Wars Night" with the USA Hockey National Development Team.  While there, we helped sell commemorative patches and lightsabers with all the proceeds being donated to the hospital we visited earlier that afternoon.

USA Hockey game "Mission Photos"

Photo courtesy of Chris Blackstock

The weekend was completed with the Great Lakes Base tradition of marching through downtown Detroit as part of the Corktown St. Patrick's Day Parade.  This is one of the longest standing events in the area (with participation dating back to 2005) and we are definitely a crowd favorite each and every year!

Corktown St. Patrick's Day "Mission Photos"

All in all, it was a tremendous weekend for the Michigan contingent of the Great Lakes Base.