Detroit Pistons Host America's Future Airmen Published Nov. 24, 2009 339th Recruiting Squadron AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- The Detroit Pistons recently teamed up with the 339th Recruiting Squadron to host one of the most unique delayed entry program swearing-in ceremonies in the squadron's history. The Pistons hosted Military Salute Night to honor and pay tribute to all the branches of the U.S. Armed Services during the team's Veterans Day game versus the Charlotte Bobcats. Before the game, children of military families served as Pistons honorary team captains and a joint service military contingent displayed a giant flag on the basketball court. During the game, a special Michigan Hero was honored for all the major conflicts our nation is involved in, and special tributes and messages from service members overseas aired on the arena video screens. The Air Force's Orange County Chopper was on site within the arena to help showcase the Air Force. The highlight of the evening occurred at halftime when a swearing-in ceremony of 141 new Air Force enlistees took place. As the enlistees filed onto the court, the Airmen's Creed played just above on the arena scoreboard. The enlistees where then encircled by hundreds of Air National Guard and Air Force Reservists from Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, MI. Lt. Col. Todd Weyerstrass, 339th RCS commander, asked the energized crowd of more than 15,000 basketball fans to stand, and then administered the oath of enlistment to the 141 men and women from Michigan gathered on the glossy wooden floor of center court. "I've been part of a lot of cool things while part of Air Force Recruiting Service, but last night's event with the Detroit Pistons was probably the coolest!" Colonel Weyerstrass said . "To be there in front of 15,000 fans, many current and retired veterans, and on Veterans Day of all days, it was both humbling and an honor." The swearing-in was shown on the regional television broadcast of the game and was highlighted by local media throughout the metro Detroit area. "The efforts of the Pistons far exceeded anything I had planned," said Staff Sgt. Tim Williams, the squadron's lead marketer for the event. "Not only did they deliver with their hospitality, they did it in true patriotic fashion." The 339th Recruiting Squadron, located in Clinton Township, MI, covers a 54,000 square-mile area which includes Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.