The Green Bay Packers and WPS Health Solutions paid special tribute to Jolene and Terry Switzer and their family during Sunday's Packers-Bears game for 'Operation Fan Mail.'
Jolene and Terry, who live in De Pere, Wis., are both veterans of the U.S. Navy and served for more than 24 and 21 years, respectively. Jolene reached the rank of Chief Petty Officer, retiring in 2007, and Terry reached the rank of Petty Officer First Class, retiring in 2005.
Both served in Naples, Italy, as well as in the 3rd Dental Battalion/U.S. Naval Dental Center in Okinawa, Japan, and in multiple tours at the Naval Dental Center Great Lakes in Illinois. Jolene also served at the Naval Dental Center Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Terry also is a combat veteran who served with the 1st Marine Battalion/21st Dental Company during Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
Jolene, a lifelong Packers fan, grew up in Lima, Ohio and is a Packers Shareholder; Terry grew up in De Pere. The couple has two children, Jessica and Steven. They attended the game Sunday with friends Jen Maksimchuk and Jesse Banda, who served honorably as a U.S. Marine from 1996-2000.
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 at each 2018 home game and recognize them on the field during pregame activities. A total of 110 individuals or families 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 submitted online at packers.com/gameday/gamedaypromotions/operationfanmail.
In addition to being recognized on-field prior to the game, selected families receive four tickets to the game.
