DECEMBER 5 • 2024 | 13
J
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played an intricate role in the memorial’s Phase I 
grand opening in August 2023. 
Brad Ziegler, a local photographer, has donated 
his professional services for many years to causes 
benefiting our service men and women, including 
this year’s “Salute to Service.
” He was charged with 
helping to find veterans for the Lions game event. 
“My efforts are dedicated to my grandfather who 
fought in WWII,
” Ziegler said. “It’s important for 
younger generations to be involved.
” 
Ziegler reached out to his friend Debi Hollis, past 
president and current board member of the memo-
rial, for a recommendation. Without a moment’s 
hesitation, Hollis referred Ziegler to Fishman. 

A DEDICATED VETERAN
“It was a true memory of a lifetime” is how Art 
Fishman, senior vice commander emeritus of the 
JWV Department of Michigan, described his experi-
ence at the Lions game on Nov. 17, adding: “Do you 

know anybody who could say no to this invitation?”
Fishman has dedicated his life after serving 
during WWII to the welfare of his fellow service 
men and women. “My main duty is to honor our 
past heroes,
” he said. To that end, Art continues to 
this day to be the organizer of the appearances the 
JWV Department of Michigan Color Guard make at 
local funerals.
For all his efforts, Art was named “Michigan 
Veteran of the Year” in 2022 by the Commanders 
Group of Michigan. Today he remains an active 
board member of Metropolitan Detroit’s Veterans 
Coalition, helping to organize the annual Detroit’s 
Veterans Day Parade. He was the event’s Grand 
Marshal in 2022. I’ve had the privilege of sharing 
Art’s story for many years in the JN. He’ll be 98 in 
February and continues to outdo himself. 
Fishman was joined in the end zone prior to 
kickoff at Ford Field by three other Michigan 
WWII veterans — Bill Rosnyai, Al Roland and Joe 

Sypniewski. Rosnyai turned 100 years old on Nov. 
25.
The veterans, each wearing a Lions game jersey 
courtesy of the club, received the red-carpet 
treatment on the green artificial turf. A rousing 
round of applause by the sold-out stadium crowd 
greeted them as they were introduced.
Fishman looked up at the scoreboard and couldn’t 
believe his eyes, his face filling the jumbo screen for 
all to see. “You don’t think something like this will 
ever happen to you,
” said Fishman. “I tried to absorb 
every moment. A real highlight of my life.
” 
Speaking of which, the highlight of the day came 
when each veteran was given a warm, personal 
greeting on the field from owner Sheila Ford Hamp. 
“She’s quite a lady,
” Fishman said. “Coach 
Campbell, the Detroit Lions and the Ford family 
made us feel like we were part of the Lions family. I 
can’t begin to thank them enough for the honor.
” 
The video of Dan Campbell greeting the veterans 
went viral. As the coach approached Fishman, Art 
stood up to shake his hand to which Campbell said: 
“You don’t need to stand up for me.
” Art stood up 
nonetheless, laughing as he said to Campbell, “I 
just wanted to see how tall you were.
” With that 
the coach stood up straight and gave Fishman a 
hearty handshake. (Video link: facebook.com/
reel/1914352729047844)
You might say the attention Fishman received 
went into overtime. He was interviewed on Fox 2 
Detroit’s pregame show, and he spent 15 minutes 
talking with Bob Woodruff. “I’ll think of you for one 
of our programs in the future,
” Woodruff said. To 
which Art replied, “I’ll drop everything I’m doing 
and be right there!”
The veterans spent the entirety of the game 
watching from a beautiful hospitality suite filled 
with refreshments. And what a game it was. The 
Lions 52-6 victory over Jacksonville improved 
their record to 9-1 at the time, the best start by the 
franchise since 1934.
I say it’s only fitting that some of our Greatest 
Generation got to witness what is perhaps our 
greatest Lions team. 

For more information, visit bobwoodrufffoundation.org; nfl.com/

causes/salute; or michiganww2memorial.org.

Art shares a hug 
with Detroit Lions 
owner Sheila Ford 
Hamp as other 
WWII veterans 
enjoy pregame 
festivities.

Art spent 15 
minutes talking 
to Bob Woodruff 
on the FOX 2 set. 
97.1 The Ticket 
radio play-by-
play announcer 
Dan Miller and 
Fox 2 sports 
reporter Jennifer 
Hammond are in 
the background.

BRAD ZIEGLER

Art Fishman’s appearance on the stadium scoreboard 
got a rousing cheer from the sold-out crowd.

