Bonfiglio, a longtime Packers fan from Ogden, Wis., is an Infantry Officer serving with the 1st Infantry Division in support of Operation New Dawn in Kirkuk, Iraq.
He was commissioned into the Infantry upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 2008. Since then, he has earned the Airborne Badge, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Expert Infantryman's Badge and the Ranger Tab.
Bonfiglio's parents, Carla and Michael, of Green Bay, will be in attendance in his place, along with his brothers, Trent and Clayton Bonfiglio. While Bonfiglio cannot make it to Sunday's salute, as he currently is overseas, he knows his family deserves to be recognized for their support they provide to him and his troops.
"For longer than they have supported me and my 'team,' they have supported the Green and Gold," Bonfiglio said. "Sundays were family day, and every Sunday we would watch the Pack, win or lose. I would love to see their beaming faces on Lambeau Field before a live Packers game. I am happy they're being recognized their hard work and dedication to our nation's troops."
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 Insurance will host a family at each 2010 home game and recognize them on the field during pregame activities. More than 30 families have been recognized during the past three-plus seasons.
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 fan 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 to the Packers online at http:nfl.packers.com/gameday/gamedaypromotions/operationfan_mail.
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.
