Today is the day we set aside to honor those who served in our armed forces. As a veteran myself (Navy) it is not a day that passes without note. For some, the duty to honor our servicemen and women is more than a one day thing. The NFL and USAA recognize those league members who demonstrate and exemplary commitment to honoring and supporting the military community.
The award is given out annually, with each team selecting their nominee. For the Raiders, the 2019 nominee is former running back Mark Van Eeghen.
Mark’s daughter Brooke was a Major in the Air Force. During the Raiders’ trip to London, Van Eeghen, along with some current Raiders players, visited the Royal Air Force Mildenhall Base in Suffolk England to meet with and support troops stationed at the base. He toured the base’s CV22 Ospreys and C130s and met the units assigned to the planes.
Van Eeghen met with active duty Airmen and their families, passed out Raiders gear, posed for pictures, signed autographs and was presented with a commander’s coin by the base’s commanding officer.
Ahead of the international matchup between the Raiders and Bears, Van Eeghen and other NFL alumni welcomed families of fallen heroes from the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) to the team’s morning walkthrough, handed out gift bags with Raiders memorabilia and led a tour of the team’s practice facility. Mark spent time with the 45 family members in attendance and toured the group around the team’s practice facility in Watford.
Finalists for the Salute To Service award are announced in January. The recipient will be recognized at the NFL Honors awards show in Miami on Saturday, Feb. 1, the night before the Super Bowl.
Past recipients of the award include Ben Garland (2018), Andre Roberts (2017), Dan Quinn (2016), Vincent Jackson (2015), Jared Allen (2014), John Harbaugh (2013), Charles Tillman (2012), and the late Tennessee Titans owner, K.S. “Bud” Adams, a WWII veteran (2011).
