DECEMBER 5 • 2024 | 13
J
N
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.