The Green Bay Packers and Network Health paid special tribute to U.S. Army veteran David Zawicki during Sunday afternoon's game against the San Francisco 49ers for 'Operation Fan Mail.'
This year marks the 18th season of Operation Fan Mail, the program that recognizes military families and veterans at each Packers home game.
Zawicki joined the U.S. Army in 1980, serving in Germany during the Cold War and in the Middle East as part of Operation Desert Storm. An injury limited his active-duty career, but Zawicki has continued to serve his country as an Army Civilian for 30 years.
A native of Milwaukee, Wis., Zawicki has been a devoted Packers fan all his life. No matter the time of day, Zawicki always watched his beloved Packers play while serving overseas. He watched the Packers win both Super Bowl XXXI and Super Bowl XLV while in Germany.
Zawicki attended the game with his wife, Carmela, and two daughters, Madeline and Victoria. Madeline nominated her father to be recognized at today's game as he approaches retirement next month after more than 44 years with the U.S. Army. He currently resides in San Antonio, Texas, stationed at Fort Sam Houston with the Army Installation Management Command.
Operation Fan Mail, which debuted in 2007, is designed to honor those who are on active duty or are veterans of the military, along with their families. In addition to being recognized on the video boards prior to the game, selected families will receive four tickets to the game, courtesy of Network Health. The Packers and Network Health will host a family at each 2024 home game and recognize them on the field during pregame activities. A total of 213 families have been saluted during the past 17 seasons.
To choose families, the Packers and Network Health are asking interested families, or friends of eligible families, to submit an essay, 500 words or less, on why a particular fan should be saluted this season.
Essays can be sent to Operation Fan Mail, P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI, 54307-0628 or online at packers.com/Lambeau-field/operation-fan-mail. Families intended for recognition are those that have a member of their family serving on active duty, or a member of their family who is a veteran. The family member can be a spouse, mother, father, son, daughter or sibling.
