The Green Bay Packers and Network Health paid special tribute to U.S. Navy Veteran Tim Cook during Thursday evening's game against the Carolina Panthers for 'Operation Fan Mail.'
This year marks the 20th season of Operation Fan Mail, the program that recognizes military families and veterans at each Packers home game.
Enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1988 as an airman, Cook embarked on a decade of service that included four years of active-duty service and six years in the reserves. Serving as an aviation boatswain's mate, Cook earned the rank of petty officer third class while leading and executing demanding operations on the flight deck. Throughout his career, Cook earned multiple honors including the Kuwait Liberation Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal.
Although he is a native of Trenton, New Jersey, Cook moved to Green Bay when he was just 2 years old and has called it home ever since. He carried a deep pride for the green and gold wherever his Navy service called. While serving overseas and aboard ships, Cook stayed connected to the Packers through letters from home that included game scores and highlights from the season.
No matter how far from Wisconsin his Navy service took him, his Packers pride always traveled with him, meaning his favorite Packers gear was always packed away and proudly worn at every opportunity. Cook attended tonight's game with his wife, Terrie, his son, Mason, and Mason's girlfriend, Abbey.
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 2026 home game and recognize them on the field during pregame activities. A total of 231 families have been saluted during the past 19 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.
