The Green Bay Packers and Network Health paid special tribute to U.S. Army veteran Kalen Waite during Sunday afternoon's game against the Carolina Panthers 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.
Waite served in the United States Army from 2009 to 2013, attaining the rank of Specialist. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment and deployed to Afghanistan's Kunar Province from May 2010 to May 2011. During his deployment, he took part in 15 named operations, conducted over 200 combat patrols and engaged in 53 firefights. Throughout his service, he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, two Army Commendation Medals and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
Some of Waite's fondest family memories revolve around the Packers, including sharing the joy of the team's Super Bowl XXXI victory with his late parents. The Packers also provided a sense of home while deployed overseas. In February of 2011, Waite led a convoy through the treacherous Nawa Pass, arriving back at base just in time to witness Nick Collins intercept Ben Roethlisberger and return the pass for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLV. Following a cumulative combat-related injury that ended his military career, Waite transitioned to public service and now works as a crime analyst with the Milwaukee Police Department.
A native of Racine, Wis., Waite attended today's game with his wife, Alyssa, sisters Sarah and Kelsey, and nephew, Jacob. Alyssa 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 222 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.
