New England Patriots Honor 50 Servicemen and Women with Special Day at Training Camp

In celebration of the team’s Military Appreciation Day, the New England Patriots honored 50 servicemen and women Wednesday, Aug. 14, with a special visit to training camp and tickets to the Aug. 16 preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Gillette Stadium.

“This was an awesome experience,” said Marine Lance Cpl. Patrick Pearson, 20, of Brunswick, Maine. “I’ve never been to Gillette Stadium before, so to meet the players, get some autographs and get tickets to Friday’s game is awesome. I’m so happy about it.”

Lance Cpl. Pearson’s excitement was shared by many of the servicemen and women in attendance, including Air Force Airman 1st Class Crystal Cardin, 22, of Springfield, Mass., who also was making her first trip to Foxborough.

“We are talking about a lifelong dream here,” Cardin said of her visit. “I’m a lifelong Patriots fan, it’s a family thing, so I think I just made my mother’s year and all my siblings jealous. It was amazing to be this close to the players.”

Representing each of the country’s five military branches, the servicemen and women watched the joint practice with the Buccaneers from the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation’s VIP tent where they received gift bags and a surprise visit from Patriots chairman and CEO Robert Kraft before meeting some of their favorite players.

“I just got to meet Rob Gronkowski, which changed my entire life,” said Lance Cpl. Pearson. “I’ve lived in New England my entire life and am a huge Pats fan.”

The Patriots star tight end visited with many of the team's honored guests, posing for photos, signing autographs and thanking each of them for their service.

“Having the players come over and greet us was pretty cool,” said Air Force Airman 1st Class Steven Morissette, 24, of Maine. “Gronk is my favorite player, so meeting him was awesome.”

Marine Lance Cpl. Gabriel Millard, 22, of Salem, Mass. agreed.

“I’m a diehard Patriots fan and it was awesome to get all these signatures,” he said, holding up two autograph-covered footballs. “My favorite player is Gronk, who I got to meet, which was amazing.”

Lance Cpl. Millard said one of the autographed footballs is for his Marine 1st Sgt. and the other is for himself.

“It’s going home and is never being touched,” he said.

For others, meeting quarterback Tim Tebow was the highlight of the day.

“Favorite photo of the day has to be with Tim Tebow,” said Airman 1st Class Cardin. “This was an awesome experience and I loved it.”

Lance Cpl. Millard and Airman 1st Class Morissette echoed Cardin’s sentiments.

“It was an amazing day,” Millard said. “Beautiful weather and it was awesome to watch the Patriots practice.”

Said Morissette: “This was my first visit to Gillette Stadium and I had a lot of fun. It was the perfect day.”