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Seahawks Salute to Service

Servicemembers honored in front of sold-out crowd

Veterans from the Puget Sound Honor Flight, including two World War II veterans, were honored during an on-field halftime presentation for the Seattle Seahawks Salute to Service game against the Arizona Cardinals held on Nov. 15. Photo credit: Gary Lott

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Hundreds of servicemembers were involved in, around, and even above CenturyLink Field this past Sunday while the whole world watched the primetime division matchup with the Seattle Seahawks facing the Arizona Cardinals for this year's Salute to Service game.

The Salute to Service games are each NFL team's way of showing tribute to military servicemembers in a designated home game each season.

This year's Salute to Service game or #SeahawksSalute (the promoted military campaign for the Seahawks) held out no stops for showing a memorable tribute to and for the military.

The Seattle Seahawks mascot, Blitz, joins hundreds of servicemembers, from all branches of service, to hold the U.S. and French flags during the Seahawks Salute to Service National Anthem Ceremony. Photo credit: Gary Lott

The military festivities first started with 25 Washington National Guard Youth Program members (selected previously) honored in Touchdown City, as part of the Legion of Youth Presented by Boeing campaign that selects youth from the community to bring along three of their friends to a home game.

The chosen National Guard youth were also featured on the Legion of Youth website and received lots of free swag, complimentary game day cash and more.

Inside the stadium, it may have felt as if the military were more prevalent than the actual Seahawks players & staff.

Literally, hundreds of servicemembers were visibly lining the corners of the end zone during the pregame warmups.

This included retired veterans, Military Sea Hawkers members (Seahawks Official Military Booster Club), pilots, crew members, and even a pair of World War II veterans, which would later be recognized during a halftime recognition ceremony for the Puget Sound Honor Flight.

After a pair of sideline reenlistments were conducted to Joint Base Lewis-McChord Army members, the time for the Seahawks Salute National Anthem Ceremony in front of 69,000 fans was upon CenturyLink.

Music was the first thing to kick off the Seahawks Salute Ceremony, with members of the Navy Band Northwest & 56th Army Band from JBLM joining the Blue Thunder Band for the day, and they played throughout the game.

The Washington National Guard's 133d Army National Guard Band performed music for attendees of the Touchdown City Tailgate event as well.

After the music ended, and the Seagals Cheerleaders performed, it was time for the National Anthem.

This year's singer was McChord Field local and Air Force member, Tech Sgt. Alfredo (Freddie) Garza, Jr., who joined a Joint Honor Guard comprised of members from all service branches.

Two hundred servicemembers unfolded the various large fabrics they were holding to display a large United States flag, as well as another red, white and blue flag; the French flag.

The entire CenturyLink stadium stood quietly in awareness of the French flag for a moment of silence to honor those impacted by the terrorist attacks in Paris, Friday, Nov. 13.

After the powerful and memorable National Anthem performance/event, all eyes rose up to witness the traditional 12 Flag Raising.

This year's military honoree, chosen to raise the flag, was Corporal Clayton Pitre of the United States Marine Corps, who was one of the first African-Americans in the U.S. Marine Corps serving since the American Revolution.

Eyes stayed focused above the stadium for a dual helicopter flyover, conducted by the Washington National Guard, which had one of the helis toting an American flag, while the other one hoisted a French flag above the thousands of screaming fans.

The military tributes didn't just end with the actual football game kicking off either.

During halftime, a tribute to the Puget Sound Honor Flight was conducted on the field, where multiple veterans were honored for their service and sacrifices, including two World War II veterans.

However, the most memorable moment of the evening could easily be the surprise homecoming for Sgt. Rudy Muriel.

Every home game the Seahawks conduct a Seahawks Salute Video Shout Out from a deployed servicemember, however this week, the deployed servicemember was hiding behind Seahawks staff waiting until after his video finished to surprise and jump into the arms of his father and mother, who had no idea he was back from his deployment yet.

The Seahawks are known for involving the military in various ways throughout the year as well, with different campaigns such as the Heroes of 12 Tour, various Legion of Youth Activities, veterans hospital tours, and even a selected chosen unit that represents the military for the entire year.

Most recently, there has been a lot of buzz centered on Jermaine Kearse and his new foundation that assists this Nation's "little servicemembers."

This year's featured Salute to Service nominated Seattle Seahawk is Jermaine Kearse, who is making waves in the military community with his new nonprofit, the Jermaine Kearse 15 to 1 Foundation.

"About a year ago, I started thinking about causes I wanted to show my support to, and I kind of just went to the root of everything," said Seattle Seahawks wide receiver, Jermaine Kearse.

The Jermaine Kearse 15 to 1 Foundation focuses on making positive impacts among military youth living in the community.

"Fifteen to 1 Foundation represents my journey, from a military base to the National Football League.  

"It represents beating the odds and taking the road that was not necessarily the one that was right in front of me."

Jermaine has a first-hand experience with the military.

"My dad was in the military. I lived on a military base, and I grew up in a military family," said Jermaine.  "I feel like that was a place where my heart was telling me I should dedicate my time and show a lot of my support to."

Military experience has not only been an impactful life experience, but a positive one as well.

"I grew up on a military base and I know that growing up on base can feel small, and at times isolating," said Jermaine. "Although military families can be stationed all over the world, our universe was pretty small and tight. I want to give back to the community that helped me build my future."

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