DETROIT/September 16, 2013 – Comerica Bank today announced that Detroit Firefighter Martin Rucker has won Comerica’s Home of the Brave National Anthem Singing Contest. Rucker has won the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at the Sept. 22, Detroit Tigers game, 40 tickets to the game and has secured his station, Engine Co. No. 30 in Detroit, a $10,000 grant from Comerica Bank. Rucker is a 14-year veteran of the Detroit Fire Department and serves as a Fire Engine Operator.
In conjunction with its sponsorship of Fan Appreciation Weekend at Comerica Park, Comerica held the contest as a way to say thank you to our hometown heroes for their bravery and dedication to the community.
“During Fan Appreciation Weekend, Comerica Bank wants to make a special effort to show our appreciation for the hometown heroes who have the courage to protect us day in and day out,” said Michael T. Ritchie, president of Comerica Bank–Michigan. “Martin’s submission was impressive and we are honored to award the Detroit Fire Engine Co. No. 30 with a $10,000 grant.”
Southeastern Michigan police officers and firefighters submitted videos to the Comerica Cares Facebook page. A panel of judges from the Detroit Tigers, the media and Comerica Bank narrowed the submissions to the top 10 for public voting. More than 15,000 votes were cast during the two week public voting period.
Rucker finished with 4,008 votes, followed by second place-finisher firefighter Walter Johnston from the Hartland Area Fire Department with 3,473 votes and police officer Steven Curtis from the Oakland County Sherriff’s Office, who came in third with 2,101 votes in the Home of the Brave National Anthem Singing Contest.
About Comerica Bank
Comerica Bank, with 215 banking centers in Michigan, is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated. Founded in Detroit in 1849, Comerica continues to invest in Michigan. Comerica’s $17 million renovation of its building at 411 W. Lafayette in Detroit was completed last year and the renamed Comerica Bank Center is now the bank’s Michigan Market headquarters. Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. To find us on Facebook, please visit www.facebook.com/ComericaCares. Follow us on Twitter at @ComericaCares.
About The Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers, Inc., a charter member of the American League in 1901, have won four World Series and 11 American League pennants. The team is owned by Michael Ilitch who purchased the ballclub in 1992. Michael and his wife, Marian, jointly own other companies in the food, sports and entertainment industries including: Little Caesars Pizza, Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, the Detroit Red Wings, Olympia Entertainment, Olympia Development, Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraising Program, Champion Foods, Uptown Entertainment and Ilitch Holdings, Inc. Marian Ilitch is the sole owner of MotorCity Casino Hotel. For more information, visit www.tigers.com.
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