Raleigh, N.C. -- Sgt. Thomas S. Otwell and Sgt. David A. Miller, recruiters with Marine Corps Recruiting Station Raleigh, were honored as the Chevy Service Members of the Week by the Carolina Hurricanes during the team’s final game of the season against the Washington Capitals at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C., April 10.
The Marines were given free entry to the game and then the ceremony honoring the Marines was broadcast onto the arena’s closed circuit television in front of 10,000 fans.
“I was honored to be recognized,” said Otwell, an Emmet, Ark. native. “It was a great game and a great experience. They treated us really well.”
Otwell, originally an infantryman, has served in four combat deployments, two in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006 and 2007, and two in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2010 and 2011. He was awarded a Navy Commendation Medal for his service as a squad leader in Afghanistan in 2011 and was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with "V" for combat valor, for actions while serving as a squad leader in Afghanistan in 2010.
Miller, a Greensboro, N.C. native and originally a motor transport operator, has served on two deployments, one in support of Operation Unified Response in Haiti in 2010 and one in support of combat operations during OEF in Afghanistan in 2011. He was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal as the noncommissioned officer of the year, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force.
Kristen Bolinger, who works in promotions and fan development for the Hurricanes, added that she felt it was important for the Hurricane’s to honor local veterans because of the sacrifices the service members have made and to better the Hurricane’s connection with the community.