Seahawks Recognize Military & Veterans for NFL’s Salute to Service Initiative
Team to Pay Homage to Women of the Military for In-Game Honors
RENTON, Wash. – The Seahawks announced today various military and veteran honors as part of the team’s annual Salute to Service game, presented by USAA, the Official Seahawks and NFL Salute to Service Partner. Salute to Service is a year-round NFL initiative to honor, empower, and connect with our nation’s service members, veterans and their families. The Seahawks’ official Salute to Service game will be November 21 vs. the Arizona Cardinals, with kickoff at 1:25 p.m. PT.
This season, the Seahawks will pay homage to Women of the Military, recognizing more than 100 women service members and veterans throughout the game. Flag Honors and the Color Guard will feature 60 women representing all branches of the military.
Seahawks Salute to Service Honorees will include:
Flag Runner: Running the American flag out of the tunnel will be U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Erica Myers. SSG Myers currently serves at Joint Base Lewis McCord, where she serves as an Operations Advisor in C Troop, 3rd Squadron, 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade. A natural athlete, SSG Myers has served as the captain of the Women’s All Army Rugby team for two years and has been named the U.S. Army’s Female Athlete of the Year. SSG Myers joined the Army in 2011 and is a native of Louisiana.
National Anthem: The National Anthem will be sung by U.S. Air Force Veteran Keisha Gwin. As an American ambassador and Air Force musician, Gwin deployed three times to Southwest Asia in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn. She also served aboard the U.S. Naval Hospital Ship “Comfort” on a joint humanitarian deployment to Central and South America. She retired from the Air Force in August 2017 after 20 years of service.
12 Flag Raiser: The 12 Flag will be raised by Alfie Alvarado-Ramos. Born in Puerto Rico, Alvarado-Ramos served 22 years of active duty before retiring as the Command Sergeant Major of Madigan Army Medical Center and Troop Command at Joint Base Lewis McCord. She currently serves as the Director of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, the statewide advocate for veterans’ earned benefits and services. She is the recipient of an Army Legion of Merit Medal and Military Order of Medical Merit.
Salute to Service Moments, presented by USAA: The team will feature four Salute to Service moments throughout the game. In the third quarter, the team will recognize the service of Dr. Diana Ross-Jackson, mother of Seahawks LB Carlos Dunlap II. Dr. Ross-Jackson proudly served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 11 years. Her primary specialty was a 91E (Dental Specialist). She received specialized training needed to assist Army medical officers in examinations and treatment for military service members. While serving, Dr. Ross-Jackson also qualified at the rate of Sharpshooter. After being blessed with two children, Bianca and Carlos Dunlap, she received an Honorable Discharge for her time served.
Salute to Service Non-Profit: Throughout the month of November, the Seahawks will raise funds for Brigadoon Service Dogs. Based in Bellingham, Wash., the organization provides trained service dogs to veterans, children, and adults with physical, developmental, and behavioral health disabilities to promote a more independent and enriched life. In the first quarter, a local family will be presented with a service dog specializing in serving children on the autism spectrum. Throughout November, the Seahawks Pro Shop will also donate 12% of Seahawks Salute to Service merchandise sales from in-store purchases to Brigadoon Service Dogs, as well as take donations at checkout.
Prior to kickoff, the Seahawks will also present a special military challenge coin, designed and created by USAA, for use in the official coin toss. In what has become a long-standing tradition, challenge coins are given by one member of the military to another to reward or encourage excellence, boost morale, or to recognize a fellow brother- or sister-in-arms. The Seahawks partner with USAA on military-related events throughout the year, including the team’s annual “Change of Command” ceremony to recognize an honored military unit. This season, USAA and the Seahawks welcomed its 2021 honored military unit – Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI) – through a hand-off ceremony in September with the United States Coast Guard District 13 (the Seahawks’ 2019/2020 honored military unit). The Seahawks’ trademark “12 Flag” was transferred between the two units, signaling a “Change of Command.” This marks the ninth year that USAA has partnered with the Seahawks adopt an honorary military unit.
About USAA
Founded in 1922 by a group of military officers, USAA is among the leading providers of insurance, banking and investment and retirement solutions to 13 million members of the U.S. military, veterans who have honorably served and their families. Headquartered in San Antonio, TX, USAA has offices in seven U.S. cities and three overseas locations and employs more than 36,000 people worldwide. Each year, the company contributes to national and local nonprofits in support of military families and communities where employees live and work. For more information about USAA, follow us on Facebook or Twitter (@USAA), or visit usaa.com.
