THE APEX TIMES
Packers honor Army veteran Kristi Lyons during “Operation Fan Mail” vs. Cowboys
Green Bay and Network Health highlighted the U.S. Army Reserve veteran and lifelong Packers fan as part of the team’s 20th season recognizing military families and service members at Lambeau Field.
The Green Bay Packers and Network Health recognized U.S. Army Veteran Kristi Lyons during Sunday evening’s game against the Dallas Cowboys through “Operation Fan Mail.” The tribute included recognition on the video boards prior to the game and a broader on-field pregame acknowledgment for the selected honoree.
Packers officials said this year marks the 20th season of Operation Fan Mail, a program that honors military families and veterans at each Packers home game. Over the first 19 seasons, the team reported that 230 families have been saluted.
The team described Lyons as a lifelong Packers fan from Waukesha, Wisconsin, whose service took her away from home but kept her connected to the Packers. Packers officials also noted that during her deployment to Afghanistan, a coworker arranged for a Packers flag to be sent to her, and she took photos with it while she coordinated support for a base serving more than 300 soldiers and supplies.
Lyons and her best friend, Amy Connolly, were said by the Packers to have joined the U.S. Army Reserve together in 2003 and to have trained side by side. The Packers also reported that Lyons reached the rank of Sergeant First Class and served as a water treatment specialist, instructor, and sustainment brigade plans NCO before retiring in 2025.
Packers officials said Lyons attended the game with her husband, Jim, as well as Connolly and Connolly’s husband, Steffan. In addition to the on-game recognition, the team said selected families receive four tickets to the game courtesy of Network Health.
Why It Matters
- The tribute highlights the role Lambeau Field continues to play for military families, extending the Packers’ community-recognition focus beyond game day.
- By running Operation Fan Mail for a 20th season, Green Bay reinforces an annual, predictable platform for honoring veterans and service members during the home schedule.
- Sunday’s Dallas matchup shows how the program carries across opponents, not just special or rivalry games, maintaining consistent recognition throughout the season.
Key Facts
- The Packers and Network Health honored U.S. Army Veteran Kristi Lyons during Sunday evening’s game against the Dallas Cowboys as part of Operation Fan Mail.
- Packers officials said this is the 20th season of Operation Fan Mail, which recognizes military families and veterans at Packers home games.
- The team reported that 230 families have been saluted during the first 19 seasons of the program.
- Lyons was described as a water treatment specialist, instructor, and sustainment brigade plans NCO who retired in 2025 after reaching the rank of Sergeant First Class.
- The Packers said selected families receive four tickets to the game from Network Health and are recognized during pregame activities after appearing on video boards.