The Green Bay Packers and WPS Health Solutions paid special tribute to Superior, Wisconsin, native Senior Chief Petty Officer Jeremy Pionk, along with his family, during Sunday's game for 'Operation Fan Mail.'
Currently stationed in Gulfport, Mississippi, Pionk is an active duty Independent Duty Corpsman who provides medical care and support to Marines and Sailors on deployments and dwell periods. Pionk, who has served in the military for 19 years, has successfully completed nine deployments and missions with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.
He has received three Navy and Marine Corps commendation medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals and a Combat Aircrew badge with three gold stars.
Despite being a Packers shareholder and a lifelong fan, and keeping up with the Packers during his deployments all over the world, Sunday marked Pionk's first visit to Lambeau Field. He attended the game with his wife, Janna, his mother, Sandy, and his father, Duane.
Pionk is also supported by his eight-year-old daughter, Mattison, who is named after Pionk's brother, Matthew, who was killed in action while serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq in 2008. His family also includes his sister, Katie, and other brother, Josh.
Operation Fan Mail, which debuted in 2007, is designed to honor families with a member who is on active duty, or a member who is a veteran. The family member can be a spouse, mother, father, son, daughter or sibling. The Packers and WPS Health Solutions will host a family or group at each 2019 home game and recognize them on the field during pregame activities. A total of 127 individuals, families or groups have been recognized through the program thus far.
To choose families, the Packers and WPS Health Solutions 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.
In addition to being recognized on-field prior to the game, selected families will receive four tickets to the game and a $150 Packers Pro Shop gift card courtesy of WPS Health Solutions.
