The Chargers, along with American Airlines, continued to honor and support our country's military active-duty service members, veterans and their families in the lead up to its annual Salute to Service game in Week 10 against the Titans.
Here is a recap of some of the events hosted by the Chargers in support of the military community leading up to game day:
Revitalizing Outdoor Spaces at U.S. Vets
Partnering with American Airlines for the second year in a row, the Bolts returned to U.S. Vets in Long Beach as part of their Salute to Service outreach.
After working on the location's Welcome Center last year, the mission this year was renovating and beautifying the Women with Children Program's outdoor patio area into a place they could go and take their mind off things.
The revitalization project included setting up an inviting patio with a canopy, outdoor seating sets, lounge chairs and a number of therapeutic gardening and low-maintenance plants.
"It gives them a sense of hope and also a freedom to release them from their everyday busyness and get to go in the garden in build," Chargers Impact Fund Manager Taylor Chavez said. "There's also going to be some play areas for the children. That's what they don't have currently, and I think that's going to be very nice for them."
The project's goal was to create a welcoming and nurturing space where families can find solace, connect with nature and build resilience together.
For the families in the Women's with Children Program, this revamping of the space also gave them a kid-friendly outdoor area with picnic furniture, play sets, sandbox and gardening sets that was also set up.
"That yard is specifically for the women living in that house. At U.S. Vets, we're a large campus and we have a lot of common areas that are shared by all of our programs, but that yard is their back yard," Program Director at U.S. Vets Long Beach Location Jessica Stevens said. "For those women to have a safe space to be able to let their kids play back there safely, have brand new equipment rather than hand me downs is a really big deal.
"Then to be surrounded by beauty, it does something to the human spirit so by providing these native plants and a space for them, that outdoor space becomes a place where they can escape their worries for just a few minutes every day," she added.
There were a number of Bolts employees, American Airlines volunteers and members of Chargers fan clubs that were on-site lending a helping hand, including former Chargers outside linebacker Larry English.
Carl Stephens, member of the IE Die Hards Fan Club, was one of many on hand.
An Air Force and Army veteran himself and a lifelong Charger fan, he jumped at the idea of giving back to a community he knows very well.
"To have a chance to come out and help out other vets, women and children, I couldn't pass up," Stephens said.
He later added: "This is the first time I've really had a chance to give back to the vets."
And for others, like Janelle Dee, who works for American Airlines' Cargo division, this event and opportunity went a long way in wanting to learn more about how it gives back.
"I honestly didn't even know this was here," Dee said. "I've lived in Long Beach for almost 20 years, and I didn't even know. Now I'd like to know more about it, like how it helps women."
Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman and tackle Trey Pipkins also hosted 150 veterans at a ribbon cutting and dinner service at U.S. Vets Long Beach on November 4 to fully to unveil the finalized spaces.
The space will have a major impact on the families on the site, and another opportunity for the Chargers to continue giving back to the veteran community.
"A big part of the Chargers is giving back to our veterans and also our active duty," Chavez said. "This is a special way to really accomplish that and for the team to be a part of it."
She later added: "I can't wait to see the work that's been put in get to be used in their everyday lives. We've already had some women come up to us and thank us for all of this that's being done."
Chargers Host T.A.P.S. Families at The Bolt
The Chargers also hosted a couple of special T.A.P.S. (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) families and two wounded warriors prior to the Week 10 game against the Titans.
The group were greeted at The Bolt and had the opportunity to tour the facility as well as have player meet-and-greets with the Bolts following their Saturday walk-through coming off the field.
And it was a special moment for everyone involved.
"For us as an organization this event with T.A.P.S has become a staple of our Salute to Service work," Chavez said. "The goal for many of these families is to keep the name of their Fallen Hero alive. For us we utilize our platform to help accomplish this by having the players wear the decal of the Fallen Heroes during our Salute to Service game and sharing the incredible stories these families share with us.
"They have been through so much and we want to give them an opportunity to forget about everyday stresses and enjoy a weekend with our players, coaches, and staff," Chavez added.
These included members of the Chargers the likes of quarterback Justin Herbert, safety Derwin James, Jr., wide receiver Quentin Johnston and much more.
Chargers' 2024 and three-time Salute to Service nominee Morgan Fox was also among them, as he went through and talked with everyone on site.
These veterans and the families of fallen soldiers were able to collect autographs and take pictures with coaches and players and create unforgettable memories with a number of the Bolts stars — and were also given a big surprise once they arrived.
"The families thought they were just coming to the facility for a tour and to participate in a post practice meet and greet," Chavez said. "They had no idea that they would be helping some players place their Fallen Heroes initial decal on the helmet.
"To see their faces light up during this is always so special," Chavez added. "Each family was so grateful and surprised they were able to have a special moment with the players."
Events like these are important for the team and its players, not only in the lead up to the Salute to Service game, but all year round, as it is one of the many ways they show appreciation and honor veterans and their families.
Battle of the Bases heats up with competition
The competition among a couple of military bases ramped up a couple of weeks ago.
The Bolts hosted Battle of the Bases for active military personnel from a number of different bases in a flag football tournament at their training facility.
Among them that competed were Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, U.S. Coast Guard, Edwards Air Force Base and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
It was there that the four teams competed against one another in a highly spirited affair.
"It is important for us as an organization to host experiences like Battle of the Bases because it is an opportunity for us to give back to those who are sacrificing so much for our Country," Chavez said. "For us to provide this opportunity allows them to step away from their everyday stresses to have some fun and compete with other military bases that they don't work with every day."
Each donning a variation of their own Chargers jersey, the day was filled with friendly competition between the teams that ended with Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton squaring off in the championship game against Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
The end result was Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton pulling out the win after defeating Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in a highly contested matchup to take home the championship.
"There has been such positive feedback, and everyone is looking forward to this next year," Chavez said. "The Marines from Camp Pendleton can't wait to come back and defend their title."
All who participated in Battle of the Bases were present at Sunday's game for a moment of recognition before the game.
Salute to Service Game in Week 10
Sunday was a special day as the Bolts continued to honor and support the country's military heroes, past and present.
In their annual Salute to Service game presented by American Airlines, the Bolts were able to express its gratitude for the sacrifices of active-duty service members, veterans and their families all throughout the Week 10 home game against the Titans at SoFi Stadium.
It started all over the stadium, with apparel and special branding throughout the stadium and a chance to learn more about ways to get involved with U.S. VETS Long Beach, Wounded Warrior Project, U.S. Air Force, Army and U.S. Coast Guard.
It was noticeable on the field as well, as members of the Bolts rocked their special Salute to Service hats, shirts and sweatshirts throughout the afternoon.
Technical Sergeant Lisa Cimino from the Air National Guard then took the field prior to kickoff to sing the National Anthem and was joined by a number of special guests.
Cimino was joined on field for the anthem by 150 military veterans from Wounded Warrior Project, Merging Vets & Players and more that unfurled and held an American flag along with a joint armed forces color guard representing all branches of the military.
The flag spanned the full field and made for a special rendition of the National Anthem.
It didn't stop there, as Donnie Isaac and Low Country took the field for a special halftime performance.
The songwriter, combat veteran and proud member of Center for American Military Music Opportunities (CAMMO) – a non-profit organization that offers music therapy and healing services that focus on the unique challenges of being a service member, veteran, or a family member – performed originals and patriotic classics in honor of those who serve past and present.
It was a special day at SoFi Stadium that honored the country's military heroes.
