The Green Bay Packers and WPS Health Solutions paid special tribute to U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Zach Harrison and his family during Sunday's Packers-Seahawks game for 'Operation Fan Mail.'
Harrison, originally from Florence, Wis., has been serving in the U.S. Air Force for five years, after joining in September of 2012. He works as a military working dog handler, and has been deployed twice to the Middle East. He will be deployed next month for a third time to the same region, and currently is stationed in Valdosta, Ga.
Many of Harrison's family members also have served in the military, with his mother serving for 24 years in the U.S. Navy, his father serving for eight years in the U.S. Navy and his stepfather serving for four years in the U.S. Army.
A lifelong Packers fan, Harrison attended Sunday's game with his wife, Mikayla, and his aunt and uncle, Lorraine and John Gibson.
Operation Fan Mail, which debuted in 2007, is designed to recognize families with a member who is on active duty. The Packers and WPS Health Solutions will host a family at each 2017 home game and recognize them on the field during pregame activities. A total of 100 individuals or families have been recognized through the program thus far.
To choose families, the Packers and WPS Health Solutions 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. Essays can be sent to: Operation Fan Mail, P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI, 54307-0628 or submitted online at packers.com/gameday/gamedaypromotions/operationfanmail.
In addition to being recognized on-field prior to the game, selected families receive four tickets to the game. Families intended for recognition are those that have a member serving on active duty. The family member can be a spouse, mother, father, son, daughter or sibling.
