CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Monsters had a very special guest take the ice before the game against the Laval Rocket.
Sergeant Dick Klein, a Huron native, is the last surviving Northeast Ohio member of the 101st Airborne Division that jumped into Normandy on D-Day in 1944.
Klien has been awarded a Bronze Star and is a Purple Heart recipient.
Great moment tonight here at the @monstershockey game
— Cameron Gray (@Cameron_Gray) November 10, 2019
Ceremonial puck drop by World War II Veteran and Huron, OH native Richard Klein, the area’s sole remaining member of the 101st Airborne Division that served in Normandy on D-Day in 1944#LightTheLand #SaluteToService #USA pic.twitter.com/UxJJ8lqoMO
The Monsters invited Klien to participate in the ceremonial puck drop at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Saturday evening.
After dropping the puck, Klien shook hands with Monsters’ LW Nathan Gerbe and Rocket’s D Xavier Ouellet while receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.
Klien’s ceremonial puck drop was a part of the Monsters’ “Salute to Service” night. Tickets to Saturday’s game were free for those with a Military ID or Military Dependent ID.
The Monsters also placed a “Missing Man Chair” rinkside to represent brave individuals who died in the line of duty.
Dick Klein is the last surviving Northeast Ohio member of the 101st Airborne that jumped into Normandy on D Day.
— Cleveland Monsters (@monstershockey) November 10, 2019
In addition, Mr. Klein is also a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient.
Thank you for joining us, Mr. Klein. We are honored. pic.twitter.com/2qhuH3YfRx
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