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U.S. Army Veteran Chad Wessel was honored by the Green Bay Packers as part of their "Operation Fan Mail" initiative.

The recognition comes after Wessel was diagnosed with ALS in January 2025, forcing his medical retirement after 23 years of service.

During the pregame ceremony, Wessel met several Packers players, including former Iowa lineman Lukas Van Ness.

Des Moines native and U.S. Army Veteran Chad Wessel and his wife, Kara, were already planning to attend a Green Bay Packers football game this season before he got a text message in late October.

It was from his friend and former colleague, U.S. Air Force Major Dale Winters.

Months prior, the Wessels, along with Winters and his wife, Mary, purchased tickets to see the Packers face off against the Philadelph

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