The New York Giants will highlight their year-round commitment to the military community throughout their Week 12 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium.
On Sunday, November 24, the Giants will celebrate their official Salute to Service themed game, when the first 25,000 fans in attendance will receive a commemorative scarf presented by Your Local Ford Stores.
There will be multiple in-game recognition moments, including a $10,000 contribution to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization from Your Local Ford Stores. DAV is a charity that empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity by providing benefits, services and advocates. Additionally, as part of the team's 100th season celebration, The Giants foundation will make a $100,000 donation to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation that will accompany a $10,000 Salute to Service Grant to the organization from the NFL Foundation.
The Giants Foundation is also creating a $100,000 scholarship fund in conjunction with the Navy-Marine Crops Relief Society for spouses and children of Navy Seaman and Marines who are in need of financial assistance to attend college. This Scholarship is in memory of late Giants owner Wellington T. Mara, who was named the team's recipient of the Salute to Service Award presented by USAA. The Salute to Service Award recognizes NFL players, coaches, staff and alumni who make exceptional efforts to honor and support military and veteran communities, as nominated by NFL clubs.
Fans once again have an opportunity to vote for their favorite nominee, all of whom are selected by their respective NFL team, to help determine the award's three finalists. To see all the nominees and cast your vote, visit NFL.com/SaluteFanVote from now until November 30. Fans can submit one vote per day for their favorite nominee. The three finalists will be announced in January, and the recipient will be recognized at NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air nationally in February during the week of Super Bowl LIX.
Mara's only long-term absence from the Giants in his 81-year affiliation was when he served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. As a lieutenant, he was in command of 30 men and spent 40 months at sea between the USS Santee, an escort carrier that engaged in combat with enemy naval forces in the South Atlantic, and the USS Randolph, which was stationed in the South Pacific. Lieutenant Mara earned numerous honors during his service, including the American Theater Medal, the European-African-Middle-Eastern Medal (two Service Stars), the Asiatic-Pacific-Medal (five Service Stars), the Philippine Liberation Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Presidential Unit Medal.
In 1945, Mr. Mara was relieved from active duty and was promoted to lieutenant commander in 1949. He retired from the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1956. These experiences became the driving force behind the franchise's military-related programming over the decades. The Giants empower each branch of the military community through events, initiatives, and contributions. In fact, the Giants hosted wounded veterans at games during World War II. Relationships have always been important to Mara, who actively connected with those he served alongside and maintained contact with them throughout his post-war life. Football has always been a way for people, especially military members, to connect over a shared love of the game.
The Giants are proud to host active and retired military members and their families to attend and participate in various game activations.
For the last five decades, the New York Giants have proudly donated 50 tickets to each home game to the United Service Organizations (USO), which invites members of every military branch to attend games.
To kick off the game, representatives from Disabled American Veterans will be present for the coin toss and Major General Lalor, a huge Giants fan with an esteemed military career, will ring the Kickoff Bell. The American Flag will be held by Giants Season Ticket Members who are either active duty, veterans or family members. Halftime will be performance by the 63rd Army Band.
Sunday is the culmination of a month that featured numerous Salute to Service events. On November 7, Giants Legends Victor Cruz and Brandon London visited a military base in Germany, where the Giants played for the first time in franchise history in the regular season.
Giants alumni recently visited the East Orange-VA Medical Center, and current players traveled to Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn where they toured the base and interacted with service members.
On Friday, November 22, the Giants also hosted military members from the Wounded Warrior Project at the Quest Diagnostic Training Center, where they watched practice and met with players and coaches to share their stories over lunch in the team cafeteria. This group will be hosted at the Salute to Service game as well.
About Salute to Service
Salute to Service is the league's commitment to honor, empower and connect with the country's military community. Throughout the month of November, the collective NFL family, including all 32 clubs and players, will reinforce their support and gratitude to those who have and continue to serve. Salute to Service will come to life on-field during Weeks 10-12 of the regular season and will be complemented by special events and activations in communities across the country.
Since 2011, the NFL has raised more than $73 million for Salute to Service charitable partners to help advance their ongoing missions to uplift our nation's military community through targeted programs, resources and support.
About Your Local Ford Stores
Based in the Tri-State area, Your Local Ford Stores have 89 stores in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, offering sales and service of Ford's award-winning lineup of personal and commercial vehicles. Their mission is to elevate the dealership experience by providing excellent customer service, a range of financial solutions through Ford Motor Credit Company, and to give back to the community with first responders, military personnel and youth initiatives. For more information on Ford Motor Company, visit www.Ford.com or www.BuyFordNow.com.
Giants 100th season book on sale now
"New York Football Giants: The People, The Moments, The Traditions" is available now exclusively at the Giants online shop. The book explores the team's greatest players, unforgettable games and stories that have defined the franchise for the last century.
