The Atlanta Falcons Salute to Service week presented by Zaxby’s extends from November 3-12 and is part of a long-term year-round commitment across the Blank Family of Businesses. The organization is driven by a set of core values in which giving back to others is at the core. To that end, this deep commitment to serving the military spans the entire organization – from Owner Arthur Blank and AMB Group, CEO Steve Cannon to Head Coach Dan Quinn, assistant coaches, players and associates.
- The Georgia Army National Guard 121st Infantry Regiment appointed Falcons owner Arthur Blank as an honorary commander in 2016 based on his long-time support of the military and their families.
- CEO, AMB Group Steve Cannon graduated with honors from the United States Military Academy at West Point, is Airborne Ranger-qualified and served as a 1st Lieutenant in West Germany during the fall of the Iron Curtain. Cannon currently serves on the board of T.A.P.S. (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), and is the co-founder of the Johnny Mac Soldier’s Fundhonoring military service and sacrifice by providing scholarships to veterans and military family members, particularly children of our nation’s fallen and disabled. Cannon also chairs an annual Army CEO Symposium, inviting CEOs from around the community to engage and work alongside military veterans on projects to help create a synergy between the military and civilian workplaces.
- With a belief that “nobody does TEAM better than the military,” Falcons Head Coach Dan Quinn and his wife Stacey have always been passionate about providing opportunities – through Quinn’s Corps – to provide our service men and women with opportunities to connect with the NFL. This includes giving game tickets to military families for every Falcons home game as well as sending care packages overseas to those serving our country. Quinn partners with Acumen Performance Group (former Navy Seals) to work with the football team in the offseason, hosts an annual Military Day during training camp, and led four Falcons players on a week-long USO Tour during the summer of 2016. He earned the NFL’s 2017 Salute to Service award for his commitment to honoring and supporting the armed services and the military community.
- Falcons wide receiver Andre Roberts has been selected as the Falcons Salute to Service award winner this year for his selfless commitment to give back to military. Roberts grew up in a military family and has dedicated his service to the military community by visiting VA hospitals and hosting a football camp each summer on a military base. Right guard Ben Garland is currently a captain in the Colorado Air National Guard serving his commitment to the military every offseason. In addition, center Alex Mack and right tackle Ryan Schraeder provide tickets to soldiers and military families for every game.
Throughout the year, the Falcons include military as a part of every game which starts with designating a partner military base for each game. Members of the military from that base are embedded into the game in various ways including: helping to lead the team out of the tunnel, military band performances for fans, honoring of T.A.P.S. families, serving as the color guard, etc. The Mercedes-Benz Stadium Halo Board features two stories each week – the American Family Insurance “We Play For” feature tells the story of a fallen hero from that base, and the Home Depot Hometown Herofeatures a soldier selected for going above and beyond the call of duty.
“We have a deep-rooted interest in making an impact and giving back to military families in our community – it’s not just about honoring them for one game,” said Chris Millman, Director of Community Relations for the Atlanta Falcons. “It’s also great to see so many teams following suit with week-long Salute to Service celebrations of their own.”
The Falcons were the first team to honor the military with an entire week of events. This year, the events will include hosting a high school football game, conduct a player visit to a Veterans Administration hospital, host a Pros vs. Joes videogame competition, a youth football clinic, a Vietnam War Veterans breakfast and honor 64 T.A.P.S. families leading to the Salute to Service home game vs. the Dallas Cowboys.
The NFL works with its core military nonprofit partners to show gratitude for all those who have served our country. The NFL, along with its partners, is proud to support the Pat Tillman Foundation, TAPS, USO and Wounded Warrior Project, to fund programs and provide resources that positively impact active duty and veteran military members and their families.
Please RSVP to Mark Albright to reserve a spot to cover any of the following by emailing[email protected].
Salute to Service Week Schedule
Friday, November 3 (last week) – Salute to Service High School Football Game
The Atlanta Falcons hosted a Salute to Service game at the Grovetown High School home game against Lakeside (Evans) on Friday evening. The stadium featured many military elements, including American flags and Salute to Service signage throughout the property. The high school players were provided military NFL gear, such as custom camouflage jerseys, to wear during the game.
Address: Grovetown High School – 2010 Warrior Way, Grovetown, GA 30813
Time: Took place last Friday
Monday, November 6 – VA Hospital Visit
The Atlanta Falcons will visit the VA hospital to show support and thank veterans for their service and sacrifice. Falcons players, cheerleaders and Freddie Falcon will visit with veterans and deliver gifts.
Address: VA Hospital – 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA 30033
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 7 – Pros vs. Joes
The Atlanta Falcons will host military personnel at the Atlanta Falcons Practice Facility for a series of competitive video games between Falcons players and service members; and virtually with the military currently serving overseas.
Address: Atlanta Falcons Practice Facility – 4400 Falcon Parkway, Flowery Branch, GA 30542
Time: 10 a.m.
Wednesday, November 8 – Youth Football Clinic
The Atlanta Falcons will host a Youth Football Clinic at Fort Stewart for approximately 250 children on base and in the community. The clinic will be led by Atlanta Falcons alumni players and each child participating will receive a free customized Atlanta Falcons Salute to Service t-shirt.
Address: Fort Stewart – 976 William H Wilson Ave Fort Stewart GA 31314
Time: 6 p.m.
Thursday, November 9 – Overseas Packaging Event
The Atlanta Falcons associates will package approximately 300 care packages to be shipped to military serving overseas.
Address: Arthur M. Blank Family Office, 3223 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30327
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Friday, November 10 – Vietnam War Veterans Breakfast
The Atlanta Falcons will host a breakfast at the Arthur M. Blank Family Office to honor Vietnam War Veterans and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Veterans will be treated to breakfast followed by a special presentation. Each military veteran will receive a special gift bag after the event. Falcons alumni, associates and cheerleaders will be in attendance.
Address: Arthur M. Blank Family Office – 3223 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30327
Time: 7:45 a.m. check-in, 8:15 a.m. program begins
Friday, November 10 – TAPS Welcome Party
The Atlanta Falcons and Coach Quinn will host 64 TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) families to a weekend of activities to thank them for the ultimate sacrifice of their Fallen Hero. On Friday night, Coach Quinn and the Atlanta Falcons will host a Welcome Party at Lake Lanier Islands Resort.
Address: Lake Lanier Islands Resort 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford, GA 30518
Time: 7 p.m.
Saturday, November 11 – TAPS Families Walk Through
The Atlanta Falcons and Coach Quinn will host 64 TAPS families at walk through on Saturday. After walk through, the families will have the option to attend Zoo Atlanta or Six Flags Over Georgia for the afternoon.
Address: Atlanta Falcons Practice Facility – 4400 Falcon Parkway, Flowery Branch, GA 30542
Time: 11 a.m.
Sunday, November 12 – Salute to Service Home Game vs. Dallas Cowboys
In addition to honoring 64 Fallen Hero T.A.P.S. families with decals on player’s helmets, there will also be several in-game entertainment military awareness elements. TAPS families will hold the American Flag during the National Anthem, local military bases will provide static displays, color guard and additional assets. Special video features honoring each Fallen Hero will be played throughout the game.
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