MADISON, Wis.—Jan. 4, 2023—The Green Bay Packers and WPS Health Solutions paid special tribute this week to Air Force veteran Ken Corry in conjunction with the Jan. 1 game against the Minnesota Vikings. Operation Fan Mail, the program that recognizes military families and veterans at each Packers home game, marks its 16th season in 2022.
Corry was born in Marinette, Wis., and was raised in a military family, with his grandfather serving in the Navy, his father, brother and uncles in the Army and Air Force, and his cousin in the Marines. After he graduated from Crivitz High School in 2003, Corry enlisted in the Air Force. He served four tours of duty overseas, including in Iraq from 2004–05 and 2006–07, Pakistan in 2006 and Afghanistan in 2009. He served until 2014, eventually achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant and finishing his active-duty career as a Training Non-Commissioned Officer for Security Forces. He trained fellow soldiers on area base defense, land navigation, traffic stops, entry control to the installation, security of protection level resources, and more.
During his time in the military, Corry earned several honors, including the Combat Action Badge, Army Accommodation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medals, Iraq Campaign Medal with four bronze leaf clusters, and Overseas Long Tour Service Medal.
Corry continues to serve his country as Veterans Outreach Specialist and District 8 Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Wisconsin, and he devotes his time to many veteran service organizations to help honor veterans in need, whether they are disabled, homeless, or dealing with other challenges as a result of their service.
He currently works for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as the training specialist, connecting with staff and veterans at local VA clinics. He has also helped create a veteran’s tailgate zone in the Lambeau Field parking lot to provide fellowship and community for veterans attending Packers home games. A lifelong Packers fan, Corry attended Sunday’s game with his friends who also served in the military, Michael Heidtman, Alex Dvorak, and Shawn Simon.
As the honoree for Operation Fan Mail this week, Corry also received four tickets to the game and a $150 Packers Pro Shop gift card, courtesy of WPS.
The program, which debuted in 2007, is designed to honor families with a member who is on active duty or a member who is a veteran. The Packers and WPS Health Solutions will host a family at each 2022 season home game and recognize the members on the video boards during pregame activities. A total of 156 individuals, families, or groups have been recognized through the program since it began.
The Packers and WPS Health Solutions invite interested families, or friends of eligible families, to submit an essay, 500 words or less, on why a particular family should be saluted this year. Families intended for recognition are those that have a member serving on active duty, or a member who is a veteran. The family member can be a spouse, mother, father, son, daughter, or sibling.
Essays can be sent to Operation Fan Mail, P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI, 54307-0628 or online at operationfanmail.com.
