Green Bay Reporter

The Green Bay Packers and Network Health honored U.S. Army Specialist Ella Wynveen during Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions as part of the ongoing 'Operation Fan Mail' initiative.

Operation Fan Mail, now in its 19th season, is a program that recognizes military families and veterans at each Packers home game. The program was launched in 2007 and has recognized 219 families over the past 18 seasons.

Wynveen enlisted in the Army National Guard while still attending Appleton West High School, becoming only the second woman from Appleton, Wisconsin to serve in the Infantry. She currently holds the rank of E-4 Specialist and is among the 6% of U.S. infantry soldiers who are women. This summer, Wynveen returned from a year-long combat deployment in Syria and is continuing her education at UW-Eau Claire.

Wynveen attended the game with her parents, Sarah and Neil, as well as her cousin Reece. Sarah nominated her daughter for this recognition.

"Operation Fan Mail, which debuted in 2007, is designed 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 will receive four tickets to the game, courtesy of Network Health. The Packers and Network Health will host a family at each 2025 home game and recognize them on the field during pregame activities. A total of 219 families have been saluted during the past 18 seasons."

Families interested in being recognized can submit an essay of up to 500 words explaining why a particular fan should be saluted next season. Submissions can be mailed to Operation Fan Mail, P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI, 54307-0628 or submitted online at https://www.packers.com/lambeau-field/operation-fan-mail/. Eligible families include those with a member serving on active duty or who is a veteran; eligible family members include spouses, parents, children or siblings.