In God We Trust
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Founder of Little Caesar's Pizza and owner of the Detroit Tigers. In 2015 he donated land and a $ 35 million endowment to build the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University. Born July 20, 1929, he played baseball in Detroit before joining the Marine Corps during the Korean War. According to Iltch, "My experiences as a Marine really helped me become more focused and organized and helped me to set some goals for my future," Ilitch said while describing his Veteran Franchise program. "These characteristics are a good fit for business in general, and for Little Caesars in particular." En route to Korea the ship stopped in Hawaii and Iltch was pulled from the ranks, "by a three-star general who was a big jock. He took me off the ship so I could play for a (military) baseball team in Pearl Harbor. I finished my service there." He served in the Marine Corps from 1948 to 1952. In addition to his time at Pearl Harbor, he was stationed at Quantico and Parris Island. Mike Ilitch died on February 10, 2017.
Singer, dancer, musician on Lawrence Welk Show. Born June 9, 1932, in Portland, Indiana, Jack Imel began tap dancing at age four. He joined the Navy during the Korean War and spent six months at the Navy School of Music. Toward the end of his tour of duty he was stationed in San Diego. After discharge he joined the Lawrence Welk Show in 1957, playing marimba. Beginning in the 1970s he paired with Mary Lou Metzger in specialty song and dance routines. He also was known for wearing animal costumes alongside dancer Bobby Burgess during the Welk Show and was an accomplished drummer in the Welk band, "Hotsie Tottsy Boys."