KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs will honor veterans and active-duty members of the military during Sunday’s game vs. the San Diego Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium as part of recognizing Military Appreciation Month. Sunday’scontest serves as the Chiefs “Salute to Service” Game presented by Hollywood Casino. “Salute to Service” is the National Football League’s initiative to support military personnel and raise awareness for the sacrifices they make on our behalf.
Prior to the game, the Chiefs Army Liaison and members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard will lead the team onto the field carrying the American flag, as well as flags representing each branch of service. The Chiefs Army Liaison, United States Army Officer Jon Rittenberg, is on a one year training with industry fellowship on the Chiefs staff, where he serves as a member of the gameday production team, coordinates military integration and assists with community outreach and the digital engagement team.
A Joint Forces Color Guard from the U.S. Strategic Command will present the colors while United States Navy Veteran Generald Wilson performs the National Anthem. During the Star-Spangled Banner, a field-sized American flag will be held by 150 Season Ticket Members while 60 service members will salute the flag from the end zones. At the conclusion of the National Anthem, there will be a flyover of two A-10 Warthogs from the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base (weather permitting).
Army Major General Wayne Grigsby, the Commanding General of the 1st Infantry Division and Air Force Brigadier General Paul Tibbets, Commander of the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, will serve as the honorary coin toss captains. Army Command Sergeant Major Patrick Z. Alston of the U.S. Strategic Command will lead Arrowhead Stadium in the drum ceremony and the first pass will be thrown by Marine Corps Brigadier General Dave Bellon.
Prior to kickoff at Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs and Marines Combat Logistics Regiment 4 will renew the longest continuous Toys for Tots collection in the NFL as they collect donations of new and unwrapped toys for boys and girls up to age 15. This year’s collection marks the Chiefs 50th annual Toys for Tots collection.
During the game, six Hometown Heroes will be honored, including Army Sergeant First Class Corey Whigham, Air Force Master Sergeant Laura Johnson, Marine Corps Sergeant Randy Moore, Chief Petty Officer Leticia Quezada, Coast Guard Petty Officer Richard DePascle and 1st Infantry Division Soldier Specialist Jayson Morton, representing each branch of service. In addition, a number of inspirational military videos will be aired on the ArrowVision boards throughout the game and a Gold Star Family will be honored.
The United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon will perform at halftime of Sunday’s game.
The Chiefs kicked off their support of “Salute to Service” on Tuesday, Oct. 27, when Chiefs DL Allen Bailey, RB Charcandrick West and K Cairo Santos, along with Pro Football Hall of Fame kicker Jan Stenerud and Chiefs Cheerleaders visited airmen and airwomen at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base. This is the sixth year that the Chiefs have made a series of visits at local military bases on behalf of the NFL’s Salute to Service initiative. Base visits such as this are just one of the ways that the Chiefs organization salutes our servicemen and women and share our appreciation for all the sacrifices that they and their families make on our behalf.
The Chiefs also hosted members of the Marines Combat Logistics Regiment 4 at Arrowhead Stadium Tuesday for the “Pros vs. GI Joes” gaming event, where the club’s running backs faced off against these local Marines in Madden and Call of Duty.
Through its long standing partnerships and support from the 32 teams, the NFL takes pride in supporting military personnel and remains committed to raising awareness for the sacrifices they make on our behalf. All proceeds from the NFL’s Salute to Service campaign are donated to the NFL’s three military appreciation nonprofit partners: USO, Pat Tillman Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project. Since 2011, USAA has served as the Official Military Appreciation Sponsor of the NFL. Together, USAA and the NFL seek to elevate military appreciation across the league among players, teams and fans through the NFL Salute to Service initiative.