Green Bay Packers defensive end Lukas Van Ness helps kick off the team's Salute to Service initiative, Oct. 29, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — A Green Bay Packers player is being recognized for his efforts to honor and support military and veteran communities.
The NFL and USAA announced the 2024 nominees for the annual Salute to Service Award Friday.
The Packers are nominating defensive end Lukas Van Ness.
Here’s why the Packers say they nominated him:
Lukas began to make an impact on the military community as soon as he entered the league. During his rookie season, he connected with local veterans through a Huddle for Heroes event, answering questions and spending time with the veterans to personally thank them for their service. He also wrote letters to be sent to active-duty military members to encourage and empower them while on deployment. During the Packers’ 2024 military appreciation week, Lukas will assist a family grieving the loss of a service member in assembling and painting a commemorative flag to honor their fallen soldier. At the end of the event, he will present the family with a gift on behalf of the Packers. Growing up with several family members that have served in the military, including his grandfather who earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army during his 27-year career, Lukas learned from a young age how important it is to honor the men and women who give so much to our country. Lukas continues to use his platform to salute the bravery and sacrifice of service members, veterans and their families.
Fans will vote for the favorite nominees online to help determine the three finalists.
Click here to see all the nominees and vote for your favorite.
Fans can submit one vote per day for their favorite nominee. The three finalists will be announced in January, and the recipient will be recognized at NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air nationally in February during the week of Super Bowl LIX.
USAA will contribute $25,000 in the recipient’s name to official aid societies representing all U.S. military branches. The NFL will match USAA’s contribution by donating an additional $25,000 to the awardee’s military or veteran charity of choice.
Last year’s award recipient was New England Patriots long-snapper Lieutenant Joe Cardona.
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