Sentinels Step Up: Honoring Veterans Through Community Action

Grand Rapids, MI – June 24, 2025-Andrew Dibble

In a powerful show of respect and community leadership, the West Michigan Sentinels traded sticks for scrub brushes as they joined Convergint’s Social Responsibility Day to help clean and restore nearly 800 veteran headstones at a local Grand Rapids cemetery.

The cemetery holds approximately 5,500 burial sites, all belonging to former residents of the Michigan Veteran Homes. Among those honored was a Medal of Honor recipient, whose grave the team carefully tended during the day's efforts.

While hockey may bring the crowds, it's actions like these that truly define the heart of the American Premier Hockey League (APHL).

“This league has always believed in the power of sport to unite communities and serve a greater purpose,” said Joshua Way, President of the APHL. “Keeping our veterans’ gravesites clean is more than just a gesture—it’s a duty. These men and women gave everything for our country, and preserving their resting places is the least we can do to show our gratitude.”

The West Michigan Sentinels have become a shining example of what it means to lead off the ice. Their commitment to honoring local veterans reflects a deep sense of pride and responsibility shared by the entire organization.

“It’s about legacy,” added Andrew Dibble, APHL Director of Marketing & Community Engagement. “Every headstone represents a life of service and sacrifice. The Sentinels understand that, and they’re making sure these heroes are never forgotten.”

This volunteer effort is just the beginning. The Sentinels plan to return and continue working until every single site has been cleaned and honored.

The APHL applauds the Sentinels for showing the kind of integrity, compassion, and leadership that makes this league more than just a place for hockey—it’s a league built on character.

For more stories of service and community across the APHL, visit www.aphl.hockey