The Green Bay Packers and WPS Health Solutions paid special tribute to Waterford, Wisconsin, native Andrew S. Handeland, Sr., and his family during Sunday's Packers-Raiders game for 'Operation Fan Mail.'
Handeland, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2000-04, has been serving in the U.S. Navy since 2017, working as an 81mm Mortarman, SeaBee Builder and a Tactical Rescue of Aircraft Personnel Team Machine Gunner.
During his time with the Marines, he was deployed multiple times, first in support of a humanitarian aid mission to East Timor in the Pacific, and then as part of the first Marines deployed to Afghanistan after 9/11 for Operation Enduring Freedom. He was also deployed from 2003-04 to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Handeland has been honored numerous times for his service, earning multiple medals, badges and unit commendations.
He was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer, thought to be related to his time in the military. To treat the cancer, he underwent extensive surgery in September and is battling his cancer with his family by his side. Handeland, who now lives in Waukesha, Wisconsin, attended Sunday's game with his wife, Holly, sons Alejandro and Andrew Jr., and father, Randy.
Operation Fan Mail, which debuted in 2007, is designed to honor families with a member who is on active duty, or a member who is a veteran. The family member can be a spouse, mother, father, son, daughter or sibling. The Packers and WPS Health Solutions will host a family at each 2019 home game and recognize them on the field during pregame activities. A total of 124 individuals, families or groups 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 next 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.
In addition to being recognized on-field prior to the game, selected families will receive four tickets to the game and a $150 Packers Pro Shop gift card courtesy of WPS Health Solutions.
