GREEN BAY, Wis.—Dec. 2, 2018—The Green Bay Packers and WPS Health Solutions paid special tribute to Lieutenant Commander Steven MacGillis and his family during Sunday’s Packers-Cardinals game for 'Operation Fan Mail.'
The Milwaukee native has been in the U.S. Navy for 15 years, serving in every area of responsibility, including on six continents. He currently serves as an H-60 helicopter pilot, performing combat search and rescue and special warfare support.
Steven MacGillis is part of a family whose military service spans four generations and more than 100 years. His great-grandfather, Crescent MacGillis, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1918 and served in World War I. Steven’s grandfather, JJ MacGillis, enlisted in the Wisconsin National Guard at age 15 in 1938, serving during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He attained the rank of colonel and retired in 1983 after serving more than 45 years.
Steven’s father, Patrick, began his military career in 1968 with the University of Wisconsin ROTC program. He served on active duty in the Wisconsin National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve for more than 30 years, and attained the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Steven MacGillis is currently stationed in Omaha, Neb., at the U.S. Strategic Command. He is a lifelong Packers fan and is a Packers shareholder.
He attended Sunday’s game with his mother, Jan, of Cedarburg, Wis., as well as his brother, Brian, and nephew, Jack, both of Plymouth, Wis.
Operation Fan Mail, 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 family member can be a spouse, mother, father, son, daughter or sibling. The Packers and WPS Health Solutions will host a family at each 2018 home game and recognize them on the field during pregame activities. A total of 115 individuals or families have been recognized through the program thus far.
To choose families, the Packers and WPS Health Solutions are asking interested families, or friends of eligible families, to submit an essay, 500 words or less, on why a particular fan should be saluted next season.
Essays can be sent to:
Operation Fan Mail
P.O. Box 10628
Green Bay, WI 54307-0628
or submit online.
In addition to being recognized on-field prior to the game, selected families will receive four tickets to the game.
