Green Bay Reporter

The Green Bay Packers and Network Health paid special tribute to U.S. Marine Corps veteran Matthew Filtz during Saturday afternoon's game against the Baltimore Ravens for 'Operation Fan Mail.'

This year marks the 18th season of Operation Fan Mail, a program that recognizes military families and veterans at each Packers home game.

Sergeant Matthew Filtz served in the United States Marine Corps from 2006 to 2010 as a member of the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion. Throughout his career, he was stationed domestically at Camp Pendleton and internationally at Camp Fuji in Japan. He completed a seven-month deployment to Camp Baharia, just outside Fallujah, Iraq, and continued to serve his country in the Marine Corps Reserve for three years after fulfilling his active-duty service responsibilities.

Over the course of his decorated career, Sergeant Filtz was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

Sergeant Filtz sustained an injury during his deployment that exposed him to the side effects of high-dose painkillers, which has led him to his current post-service profession as a chiropractor. He works diligently to naturally heal patients and fellow veterans without relying on painkillers or invasive surgery. Filtz and his wife Taylor own Foundation Chiropractic, located in Ashwaubenon, and team members from their practice nominated him to be recognized at this week's game.

A Wausau native and devoted Packers fan, Sergeant Filtz now resides near Green Bay with his wife and their two children, Sullivan and Alma June, all of whom accompanied him to the game.

Operation Fan Mail debuted in 2007 to honor those who are on active duty or are veterans of the military along with their families. In addition to being recognized on the video boards prior to the game, selected families receive four tickets courtesy of Network Health. The Packers and Network Health will host a family at each 2024 home game and recognize them on the field during pregame activities. A total of 207 families have been saluted during the past 17 seasons.

To choose families for recognition this season, interested parties are asked to submit an essay of 500 words or less explaining why a particular fan should be honored. Essays can be sent to Operation Fan Mail at P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI 54307-0628 or submitted online at packers.com/Lambeau-field/operation-fan-mail. Eligible families must have a member serving on active duty or who is a veteran; this includes spouses, parents, children or siblings.

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