GREEN BAY — Jetting out from the south side of the Packers' locker room is a long corridor that leads to the office of long-time assistant equipment manager Tom Bakken.
It's a modest space no longer than an average walk-in closet, but the keepsakes that decorate the walls and shelves paint a larger-than-life picture of service and gratitude.
Model aircrafts sit atop his desk with frames covering the rest of the room, including one arrangement of a United States flag that once flew over the Pentagon on the Fourth of July and aboard the USS Nimitz on the Dec. 15, 2009.
This is more than just a hobby for Bakken, the Packers' nominee for the 2016 NFL Salute to Service award. It's an appreciation that's sprouted several lifelong friendships.
"Getting to know all of these folks that have come and done flybys for us and folks that we've met in passing when we've went on Navy trips to different places, you get a chance to look into their way of life and what they're doing," Bakken said.
"You come to find out what they do for us, the sacrifices they and their families make for us. Here, we play a game for a living."
Members of the Packers staff and players recently took part in a military trip to Asia including Okinawa, Japan and Guam. Current and former players were in attendance.
Players posing for a photo with Cmd. Master Chief Radford and his Packers themed football.
William Henderson trying on the 88 lb. bomb suit. At one point Justin Bethel impressed some members by doing several pull-ups with the 88 lbs of equipment on.
The 1996 and 2010 Super Bowl rings, and the 1997 NFC Championship ring was brought in by Tom "T-Bone" Bakken (assistant equipment manager), Pepper Burruss (head athletic trainer), "Red" Batty (equipment manager) and former Packers FB William Henderson were a huge hit.
Group photo in front of Captain Robert French's aircraft. French is a De Pere, WI, native and was happy to see some familiar faces from home.
The 1996 and 2010 Super Bowl rings, and the 1997 NFC Championship ring was brought in by Tom "T-Bone" Bakken (assistant equipment manager), Pepper Burruss (head athletic trainer), Red Batty (equipment manager) and former Packers FB William Henderson were a huge hit.
Left to right: Tom Bakken, Justin Bethel (S, Arizona Cardinals), Dorsey Levens, Red Batty, Greg Van Roten, Brad Jones, Ryan Taylor, Seneca Wallace, William Henderson and Pepper Burruss.
Group photo in front of Captain Robert French's aircraft. French is a De Pere, WI, native and was happy to see some familiar faces from home.
William Henderson posing for a photo with Plane Capt. Robert French from De Pere, WI.
The 1996 and 2010 Super Bowl rings, and the 1997 NFC Championship ring was brought in by Tom "T-Bone" Bakken (assistant equipment manager), Pepper Burruss (head athletic trainer), Red Batty (equipment manager) and former Packers FB William Henderson were a huge hit.
QB Seneca Wallace and Gen. Charles Hudson (wearing USS Green Bay hat).
Brad Jones signing autographs and talking to servicemen in Guam.
Players talking to the Kadena High School football team, Okinawa, Japan.
Players Justin Bethel, Brad Jones, Ryan Taylor, Seneca Wallace, Greg Van Roten and Dorsey Levens address the Kadena Air Base High School football team made up of children of family members currently serving in Okinawa, Japan.
Players signing autographs for the Kadena High School football team.
A departure sign inside the Tokyo airport.
Greg Van Roten and Seneca Wallace inspecting the F-15C aircraft.
Seneca Wallace enjoying the captain's seat of an F-15C while taking a look around.
Greg Van Roten at the nose of the F-15C jet.
Equipment manager Red Batty hydrating while in the market in Okinawa.
William Henderson and Seneca Wallace posing for photos inside the market in Okinawa.
Brad Jones, a flip-flop connoisseur, finds a turf-soled flip-flop to bring home from the Okinawa market.
Tom Bakken, Seneca Wallace and Justin Bethel inside the Okinawa, Japan, market in awe of the large lobsters.
Players signing autographs in Okinawa, Japan.
Players signing autographs in Okinawa, Kadena Air Force Base.
Brad Jones receiving an autograph of his own from children at Kadena Air Force Base.
Posing for photos at Kadena Air Force Base.
Group photo with Gen. Charles Hudson as he holds up the 2010 Super Bowl ring.
Pepper Burress and Tom Bakken posing for a picture with Gen. Charles Hudson who is wearing a USS Green Bay hat.
A McDonalds menu in Okinawa, Japan.
Players line-up at a McDonalds in Okinawa, Japan.
William Henderson, Dorsey Levens and Red Batty enjoying authentic sushi in Okinawa, Japan.
The 1996 and 2010 Super Bowl rings, and the 1997 NFC Championship ring was brought in by Tom "T-Bone" Bakken (assistant equipment manager), Pepper Burruss (head athletic trainer), Red Batty (equipment manager) and former Packers FB William Henderson were a huge hit.
Tom Bakken and Pepper Burruss going through the sushi menu and stacking plate after plate. Some restaurants in Japan scan customers' plates after they're finished eating; each plate color represents a certain price.
Group photo in Okinawa, Japan. Left to right: William Henderson, Red Batty, Ryan Taylor, Greg Van Roten, Brad Jones, Seneca wallace, Justin Bethel, Tom Bakken and Pepper Burruss.
Players signing autographs and passing around the 1996, 1997 and 2010 Super Bowl rings.
Seneca Wallace signing autographs in Okinawa, Japan.
Posing for pictures with the 1996 and 2010 Super Bowl rings, along with the 1997 NFC Championship ring in Okinawa, Japan.
Players outside of the hotel in Okinawa sitting near Chinese guardian lions, known as a "Shi," a common representation of the lion in pre-modern China.
Red Batty and Pepper Burruss outside a restaurant bearing their names.
Posing for pictures with the 1996 and 2010 Super Bowl rings, along with the 1997 NFC Championship ring in Okinawa, Japan.
Red Batty and Tom Bakken sharing their Super Bowl rings.
Brad Jones talking to Lt. David Valencia.
Dorsey Levens signing autographs in Okinawa, Japan.
Red Batty looking on at an engine under repair.
Planes lined up at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan.
Players and staff walking onto the tarmac at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan.
Ryan Taylor and Brad Jones inside the cockpit.
Players posing for a picture with Cmdr. Master Chief Maucieri and King in Okinawa, Japan.
A view down the streets of Okinawa, Japan.
Habushu is a liqueur made in Okinawa, Japan, that consists of a snake at the bottom of the bottle. Appreciated since ancient times, habushu is believed by some to have medicinal properties. No bottles were bought, only to look at.
Dorsey Levens inside the cockpit of an F-15C jet.
Ryan Taylor posing for a picture with two Packers fans outside of their helicopter in Okinawa, Japan.
Brad Jones relaxing after eating plenty of sushi.
Group photo at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan.
Guam - left to right: William Henderson, Greg Van Roten, Ryan Taylor, Seneca Wallace, Justin Bethel, Brad Jones and Dorsey Levens.
Ryan Taylor in the captain's seat of an F-15C in Okinawa, Japan.
Greg Van Roten trying on a diving mask.
Players and staff being presented with a flag in Guam that was brought back to Lambeau Field.
Group photo in Guam.
Group photo while eating some authentic food.
Group photo in Guam after presented with an American flag. Left to right: Ryan Taylor, Dorsey Levens, Seneca Wallace, Justin Bethel (Cardinals), William Henderson, Brad Jones, Red Batty, Greg Van Roten, Tom Bakken, Pepper Burruss.
Brad Jones getting a quick tutorial of the F-15C.
Construction underway on the aircraft carrier.
This memorial in Guam was dedicated to Luis Ariel Souffront, Technician First Class who was killed in action.
This specific soldier was coy at first until the Super Bowl rings were brought out and he had his own Packers momento to share.
Ryan Taylor walking up the stairs to check out a P-3 Orion airplane in Okinawa, Japan.
Children at Willie McCool Middle School put on a native dance for members of the Packers in Okinawa, Japan.
Children at Willie McCool Middle School put on a native dance for members of the Packers in Okinawa, Japan.
Tom Bakken inside the EOD Mobile Unit 5 meeting room in Guam.
Bakken, known affectionately as "T-Bone" around Lambeau Field, joined the Packers in 1994 with equipment manager Gordon "Red" Batty.
Bakken developed an interest in the military at an early age. His father, Bill, served in the Army in the early 1950s and he's read countless books on the history of the armed forces.
It was during his first years in Green Bay that Bakken developed an appreciation for pregame flyovers. It was exciting, patriotic and the Lambeau Field crowd seemed to love it.
Then, it was gone.
"A guy who worked here that's since moved on, Ralph Ockenfels, used to do all the flyby stuff," Bakken said. "He went to the Titans, so we didn't have much for flybys for a year or two. I was kind of curious to know why and just happened to get one dropped into our laps when I asked about it.
"I said, 'Well, if you can do any more, let's do some more.'"
One acquaintance led to another for Bakken and the Packers, creating a vast network of contacts with servicemen and women that he cherishes to this day.
Bakken made it a priority to ensure every crew who came to Green Bay for a flyover felt at home, including a tradition of hosting dinner at the Union Hotel in nearby De Pere the night before home games.
One benefit of the small-town nature of Green Bay is the close proximity of Austin Straubel Airport to Lambeau Field, which allows crews the opportunity to get back to the stadium after the flyover to enjoy the last three quarters of the game.
It was through those interactions Bakken learned how important flyovers are to training members of the military. Aviation, communication and timing are all put to the test for the pilots and military personnel on the ground during a flyover.
Many close friendships have developed along the way.
"What's been fun, too, is back in 2000-01 when I first started doing this, some of them were junior officers not even wet behind the ears just learning how to fly an aircraft," Bakken said.
"Now, I got a good buddy who's a Navy two-star. I have a good buddy who's a retired Air Force three-star. The people you get to know is unbelievable and to see them come through the ranks, no pun intended, of their military careers has really been interesting to see them grow through everything."
Along with helping coordinate flyovers, Bakken has helped put together numerous trips visiting aircraft carriers, including a visit to the Middle East six days after the Packers won Super Bowl XLV in February 2011.
The trip, arranged by Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation, included a tour of the ship, extensive autograph sessions and some relaxing social time with the enlisted personnel on board. Photos by Navy Entertainment.
The most recent came in 2014 when he, Batty and director of sports medicine administration Pepper Burruss led a group of current and former Packers on a military trip through Okinawa, Tokyo and Guam.
The trips showed Bakken firsthand how important the NFL is to members of the military. Most sailors live in small quarters with only a half-locker to store his or her possessions during deployment. Yet, many use that valuable space to keep a jersey.
Bakken recalls meeting an enlistee a few years ago who was wearing a Clay Matthews T-shirt onboard. He took a photo and texted it to the Packers' Pro Bowl linebacker, who told Bakken to get his information so he could send him something.
Bakken's currently in the early stages of arranging another trip, which usually consists of presentations, autograph signings and Q&As with military members.
"He has an incredible passion for the military and the relationships he's established over the years, it's special," said Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy of Bakken. "We're proud of him, supporting him and hopefully we can take it a step further."
Finalists for the Salute to Service Award presented by USAA will be announced in January, and the recipient will be recognized at the NFL Honors awards show in Houston, Texas, on FOX on Saturday, Feb. 4, the night before Super Bowl LI.
You can send your support by tweeting out to these great nominees. The NFL is tallying all the hashtags and adding them to our Salute Count.
"It's unbelievable. I'm completely humbled by it," said Bakken, who also was nominated in 2014. "I don't know if I feel worthy of it, quite honestly. I do it just because I'm trying to support them for what they do for us I guess in my little way."
