RENTON, Wash. – The Seattle Seahawks announced today special 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 is Sunday, November 9 vs. the Arizona Cardinals.
The Seahawks Salute to Service Game honorees include:
Flag Runner: Shannon Huffman Polson, United States Army (Ret.), will run the team out of the tunnel with the American Flag. As one of the first women to fly the Apache Attack Helicopter in the U.S. Army, Polson has lived and led in high-stakes environments. She draws on her military experience, corporate leadership, and deep study of resilience to inspire professionals to thrive under pressure. She is the author of The Grit Factor and the founder of The Grit Institute, a leadership development platform for those seeking courage, clarity, and impact in their careers and organizations.
National Anthem: Tricia Scheer of the Washington Army National Guard will sing the National Anthem. After completing a master's degree in Community Development, Scheer joined the Washington Army National Guard in 2009 as a Combat Medic. Six years later, while singing at a memorial service for a fallen soldier, she was recruited to the 133D WA Army National Guard Band as their Vocalist.
12 Flag Raiser: Brigadier General Richard Steve Ritchie "Cinco" of United States Air Force (Ret.) will raise the 12 Flag. A 39-year military veteran, Brigadier General Ritchie is America's last living fighter pilot "Flying Ace." During his Air Force career, he logged more than 4,000 hours of fighter flight time, including 800 combat hours in the F-4 Phantom across 339 missions in Southeast Asia. His decorations include one Air Force Cross, four Silver Stars, 10 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and 25 Air Medals. He later became one of the youngest instructors in the history of the Air Force Top Gun school. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, he also was a starting half back on the USAF Academy's football team.
Salute to Service Moment, presented by USAA: During a special in-game Salute to Service moment, the team will recognize 104-year-old United States Navy Veteran, Second Petty Officer Hank Lazzar. Born in Seattle in 1921, he graduated from Highline High School in 1940 and enlisted in the Navy in 1943 at the age of 19. On his way to training in San Diego, he met his future wife, Virginia, on a Greyhound bus. They married less than a year later before Hank was deployed overseas to the Philippines during World War II. Following his service, Hank and Virginia raised four children and shared 69 years together until Virginia's passing in 2000. Today, at 104 years old, Hank continues to volunteer at the Federal Way Food Bank, where he has served for 30 years.
Halftime: Recognizing 50 years since the Vietnam War ended, the Seahawks will honor those who served and lost their lives. One Veteran from each branch that served during the Vietnam War will be recognized in a ceremony at halftime that will include a TAPS performance and the singing of God Bless America.
Salute to Service Donations: Throughout the month of November, 12% of official Seahawks Salute to Service merchandise sales at Seahawks Pro Shops will benefit Stronger Families. Stronger Families serves those who serve our country through relationship building while offering hope and tools to strengthen their family units. They believe our military and first responders are our national and local heroes and look to empower and support then while they serve and long after.
Military Challenge Coin: 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 have enjoyed a long-standing partnership with USAA on military-related events throughout the year. On gameday and beyond, supporting the military community is one of the Seahawks' key community engagement pillars. The Seahawks commit to engage, support, and celebrate members of the military community including service members, veterans, families, and non-profit organizations in our local community through a variety of programs, recognitions, and events throughout the year.
