Army Lt. Grant Barge and his family were recognized by the Green Bay Packers and WPS Health Insurance at today's game vs. the Detroit Lions for 'Operation Fan Mail.'
Barge, a Stevens Point, Wis., native, enlisted in the Army after graduating from college and became an Army Ranger. In 2004, he was deployed with the 2nd Ranger Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment. In 2007, Barge was commissioned as an infantry officer and later was deployed as a platoon leader with the 10th Mountain Division to Sadr City, Iraq, from 2008-09.
He has been awarded numerous medals, including the Bronze Star, Army Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
Barge was joined by his wife, Meg, and other members of his family.
Now in its third season at Lambeau Field, Operation Fan Mail this year is a partnership between the Packers and WPS Health Insurance. Designed to recognize families with a member who is on active duty, the Packers and WPS Health Insurance will host a family at each 2009 home game and introduce them on the field during pregame activities.
To choose families, the Packers and WPS Health Insurance are asking interested families, or friends of eligible families, to submit an essay, 500 words or less, on why a particular family should be saluted. Essays can be sent to: Operation Fan Mail, P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI, 54307-0628. Essays also can be submitted online via Packers.com by clicking here.
Families intended for recognition are those that have a member serving on active duty. The family member can be a mother, father, son, daughter or sibling. In addition to being recognized on-field prior to the game, selected families will receive four tickets to the game and a care package from WPS.
