Navy Chief Petty Officer Mike Gay and his family were recognized by the Green Bay Packers and WPS Health Insurance at today's game vs. the Seattle Seahawks for 'Operation Fan Mail.'
Gay, a Green Bay native, has been serving 20 years in the Navy and currently is assigned to the Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla. He recently completed a one-year Individual Augmentee Deployment assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, that conducted combat operations in the Helmand River Valley, Afghanistan.
He earned a Combat Action Ribbon and the NATO International Security Assistance Forces Medal as a result of the tour. Other decorations earned by Gay include the Navy Commendation Medal and three Navy Achievement Medals.
Gay, who is in Green Bay on leave, was joined at the game by his mother, Yvonne, his brother, Jeremy, and his nephew, Matt.
In its third season at Lambeau Field, Operation Fan Mail this year is a partnership between the Packers and WPS Health Insurance. Designed to recognize families with a member who is on active duty, the Packers and WPS Health Insurance will host a family at each 2009 home game and introduce them on the field during pregame activities.
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 family 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 online via Packers.com by clicking here.
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.
