MADISON, Wis.—Nov. 17, 2022—The Green Bay Packers and WPS Health Solutions paid special tribute this week to Navy veteran James Eastman and his family in conjunction with the Nov. 17 game against the Tennessee Titans. Operation Fan Mail, the program that recognizes military families and veterans at each Packers home game, marks its 16th season in 2022.
Eastman is originally from Menasha, Wis., and served in the Navy from 1985 to 1988. During his military career, he served on the USS Schofield (FFG-3) out of San Diego, chasing drug ships along the coast for several months. In 1987, was deployed to the Persian Gulf for a six-month tour. His service earned him an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, and a Sea Service Ribbon.
Today, Eastman is active in his local Veterans of Foreign Wars post. He works as a technology education teacher in Menasha. His family includes his wife, Lisa, daughter, Ali Eastman, and her husband, Chris Belville, and their son, Easton James Belville. All are attending the game with him.
As the honoree for Operation Fan Mail this week, Eastman received four tickets to the game and a $150 Packers Pro Shop gift card, courtesy of WPS.
The program, which debuted in 2007, is designed to honor families with a member who is on active duty or a member who is a veteran. The Packers and WPS Health Solutions will host a family at each 2022 season home game and recognize the members on the video boards during pregame activities. A total of 154 individuals, families, or groups have been recognized through the program since it began.
The Packers and WPS Health Solutions invite interested families, or friends of eligible families, to submit an essay, 500 words or less, on why a particular family should be saluted this year. Families intended for recognition are those that have a member serving on active duty, or a member who is a veteran. The family member can be a spouse, mother, father, son, daughter, or sibling.
Essays can be sent to Operation Fan Mail, P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI, 54307-0628 or online at operationfanmail.com.
