The Green Bay Packers and Network Health paid special tribute to U.S. Army veteran Adam Pierce during Saturday night's game against the Baltimore Ravens for 'Operation Fan Mail.'
This year marks the 19th season of Operation Fan Mail, the program that recognizes military families and veterans at each Packers home game.
Following the September 11 terrorist attacks, Pierce enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 17. As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he deployed to Iraq as a combat engineer specializing in route clearance. His missions involved identifying and neutralizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to ensure the safety of fellow service members. During one mission in 2005, an enemy explosive detonated, causing Pierce to suffer severe brain trauma. He was honorably discharged from the Army, and in 2024, received a retroactive Purple Heart decoration for his bravery and sacrifice.
A native of Negaunee, Mich., Pierce has been a proud Packers fan all his life, carrying his love for the green and gold with him no matter where he was stationed. He attended tonight's game with his wife, Rachel, kids, Liam and Nora, and additional family members and friends. Rachel nominated her husband for recognition.
Operation Fan Mail, which debuted in 2007, is designed to honor those who are on active duty or are veterans of the military, along with their families. In addition to being recognized on the video boards prior to the game, selected families will receive four tickets to the game, courtesy of Network Health. The Packers and Network Health will host a family at each 2025 home game and recognize them on the field during pregame activities. A total of 226 families have been saluted during the past 18 seasons.
To choose families, the Packers and Network Health 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. Families intended for recognition are those that have a member of their family serving on active duty, or a member of their family who is a veteran. The family member can be a spouse, mother, father, son, daughter or sibling.
