The Green Bay Packers and WPS Health Solutions paid special tribute this week to U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Ronald Graves and his family in conjunction with Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans.
Operation Fan Mail, the program that recognizes military families and veterans at each Packers home game, is continuing virtually to honor those who serve the country as the program marks its 14th season in 2020.
Graves, a native of Tipler, Wis., enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1995 and has spent 25 years on active duty, serving in operational assignments in Kuwait, Iraq and Korea during his career. He has held numerous leadership positions, including his current role as the Army Testing and Evaluation Command Sergeant Major.
Graves and his wife, Anna, have passed along a proud tradition of military service to their family, with two of their four adult children serving in the military and a third serving as a civilian with the Department of Defense. Their children include U.S. Army Reserve Specialist Justine Graves, U.S. Army Sergeant Brenden Graves, Hannali Takkunen and Gavin Takkunen. The couple also has two grandchildren.
A lifelong Packers fan, Graves has been honored throughout his military career with numerous awards and medals, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and many other military branch specific awards. He is currently stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.
As the honoree for Operation Fan Mail this week, the family will also receive a $250 prize pack from WPS Health Solutions and the Packers. A total of 136 families have been saluted during the past 12 seasons. The Graves family is the final family to be honored for the 2020 season. For more information, please visit packers.com/lambeau-field/operation-fan-mail.
