The Green Bay Packers and WPS Health Solutions paid special tribute this week to US Air Force Staff Sergeant Bridgett Manning in Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings for “Operation Fan Mail.”

Operation Fan Mail, the program that recognizes military families and veterans at every Packers home game, marks its 15th season in 2021.

Manning, from Muskego, Wisconsin, joined the US Air Force in 1995. Over the next two decades, she spent time serving around the world in Afghanistan, Africa, Alaska, Georgia, and Germany. . She worked not only as a soldier, but as a humanitarian, asking for donations of shoes, toys and toiletries to be donated to local orphanages.

Through his hard work, Manning rose to the rank of Chief Staff Sergeant and supervised hundreds of enlisted men and women. She officially retired this weekend after serving for 26 years.

In addition to her military career, Manning advocates for veterans as an intern at VETS2PM, where she helps veterans find employment. She also sits on the Jacksonville Veterans Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as Vice President of External Affairs and Career Development.

In her nomination essay, Manning’s best friend Michelle Pinkert said, “She is a shining example of a woman who overcomes substantial obstacles and comes out triumphant.”

Manning’s husband, Casey, is also a veteran who served in the US Air Force for 20 years. A lifelong Packers fan, Manning attended Sunday’s game with Casey, Pinkert and Pinkert’s husband Matt.

Operation Fan Mail, which began in 2007, is designed to honor families with a member on active duty or a member who is a veteran. The family member can be a spouse, mother, father, son, daughter or brother. The Packers and WPS Health Solutions will host a family or group at every home game in 2021 and recognize them on the video board during pre-game activities. A total of 146 individuals, families or groups have been recognized through the program so 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 recognized next season. Essays can be sent to Operation Fan Mail, PO Box 10628, Green Bay, WI, 54307-0628 or online at packers.com/lambeau-field/operation-fan-mail.

In addition to being recognized on the field before the game, selected families will receive four game tickets and a $ 150 Packers Pro Shop gift card courtesy of WPS Health Solutions.