RENTON, Wash. -The Seahawks today announced gameday activities for its annual "Salute to Service" game, presented by USAA, the official Military Appreciation Sponsor of the NFL and Seahawks. The game will be held Monday, November 20 versus the Atlanta Falcons, with kickoff at 5:30 p.m. Special activities will include:
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jeremy W. Bruffett will lead the team out of the tunnel carrying the U.S. Flag. Bruffett joined the U.S. Army in 1994 and served in the 1st and 25th Infantry Divisions deploying to Macedonia and Kosovo. He volunteered for Special Forces training in 2000 and earned the coveted Green Beret in 2002. He has been deployed multiple times to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Philippines. Bruffett has received numerous medals of commendation and honor, including six bronze star medals, two joint commendation medals, six Army commendation medals, and five Iraqi campaign medals, among many others.
The National Anthem will be performed by U.S. Navy Retired, Petty Officer First Class, Steven Powell and will conclude with a fly-over by the Washington National Guard.
As part of USAA's "Why We Salute" program, Seahawks players will wear stickers on their helmets in honor of all five military branches. Also during pregame ceremonies, a special military USAA Challenge Coin will be used for the coin toss.
The 12 Flag will be raised by Lieutenant Colonel Barbara Nichols, U.S. Army Nurse Corps. The 95 year-old Lacey, Wash. native helped build Boeing bombers during WWII. She was an original member of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps and served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1969 including WWII, Korea and Vietnam conflicts. During her time in Korea and Vietnam, she devoted her spare time to helping orphaned children. A Bronze Star recipient, Nichols is the oldest living military nurse in the United States.
During halftime, the Seahawks will honor 11 local Nisei (NEE-SAY) or second generation Japanese American veterans representing the 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team and Military Intelligence Service (MIS). The 100th Infantry Battalion, made up of Japanese American volunteers from the territory of Hawaii, was formed six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. They were the first Japanese American service men to see combat in WWII. Later, the 100th joined additional Battalions, with Japanese Americans from American Concentration Camps and additional servicemen from the territory of Hawaii, to form the segregated "All-Japanese American" 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The men of the 442nd were in combat for 20 months, from September 29, 1943 until Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945. The Military Intelligence Service (MIS) Veterans served as translators and interrogators in all of the Allied Campaigns throughout the Pacific.
The Seahawks and USAA will also recognize U.S. Army Sergeant Eugene Hughes, a former WWII prisoner of war (POW), during the special Salute to Service moment held at the end of the 3rd Quarter in the northwest end zone.Â
The Joint Honor Guard is comprised of active duty military service members representing all branches of the armed services. Along with the national flag, this joint-service color guard carries the flags for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.
Additional honors/activities at the game will include:
-Â Â Heroes of 12 Seats: The Seahawks will host and recognize "Gold Star Families."Â
-Â Â Suites to Service Members: Many Seahawks suite owners will host the more than 100 service members participating in the game activities in their suites to watch the game.
-Â Â Blue Thunder: Members of JBLM Army Band and Kitsap Naval Base Navy Band will join Blue Thunder throughout the day.
-Â Â Touchdown City: In partnership with the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum, fans will have the opportunity to view the following:
- U.S. flag flown on the Landing Craft, Tank (LCT) 595 on June 6, 1944 during D-Day
- Sherman Tank
- WWII Harley Davidson and other military displays
- Salute to Service Merchandise Donation: Throughout the month of November, 10% of the Seahawks "Salute to Service" merchandise sales from Seattle-area ProShop locations (Downtown 4th & Pike, CenturyLink Field, Renton Landing, Alderwood Mall) will go to Merging Vets & Players (MVP). Donations will also be taken at the register at all four retail locations. In addition, 100% of the proceeds from game-used "Salute to Service" items sold on auctions.seahawks.com will be donated to MVP. MVP was created in 2015 by Fox Sports contributor Jay Glazer, and former Seahawks veteran Nate Boyer is on the MVP Board of Directors. MVP provides a physical space for combat veterans and former NFL players to work out and train side by side in order to tackle the transition from soldier/player to citizen. MVP creates an environment where these warriors can benefit from each other's strengths, experience and abilities to unlock their full potential in order to lead their families, communities and country towards a better future. For store hours and information, visit Seahawks.com/ProShop
Fans are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy game day activities and avoid any traffic or parking delays. A transportation guide is available at Seahawks Gameday Guide.
About USAA
The USAA family of companies provides insurance, banking, investments, retirement products and advice to 12 million current and former members of the U.S. military and their families. Known for its legendary commitment to its members, USAA is consistently recognized for outstanding service, employee well-being and financial strength. USAA membership is open to all who are serving our nation in the U.S. military or have received a discharge type of Honorable - and their eligible family members. Founded in 1922, USAA is headquartered in San Antonio. For more information about USAA, follow us on Facebook or Twitter (@USAA), or visit usaa.com.
About Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks joined the National Football League (NFL) in 1976 as an expansion team. The Seahawks have won 10 division titles and three conference championships. They are the only team to have played in both the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC) championship games. They have appeared in three Super Bowls, (Super Bowl XL, Super Bowl XLVIII and Super Bowl XLIX). The Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos, 43-8, in Super Bowl XLVIII to win their first title. The team plays at CenturyLink Field in downtown Seattle and is owned by local businessman, investor, and philanthropist Paul Allen.
