The Washington Redskins, as part of a year-long military appreciation program Operation Salute Our Troops (OSOT), would like to take this opportunity to recognize our lead partner BAE Systems and to thank all of our partners.

Throughout the season, the Redskins will provide
the latest news on Operation Salute Our Troops
and how team partners salute the men and women
of the Armed Services.

As part of the Redskins season long military appreciation program Operation Salute our Troops, the Redskins and their lead partner BAE Systems welcomed the USO Metro to FedExField on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, to present them with Redskins Leadership Award for outstanding service.

The USO Metro’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for military personnel serving the military in Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia and Maryland. With over 3,000 dedicated volunteers, the USO Metro makes sure that our troops know that America supports them.

Representing the USO Metro will be Cheryl Hall, Chief Operating Officer and presenting the award from BAE Systems was Mike Heffron, President of the BAE Systems Electronics, Intelligence & Support operating group. As one of the world’s premier defense, security and aerospace companies, BAE Systems has a long and proud history of supporting and partnering with the men and women of the United States military and is proud to partner with the Washington Redskins on Operation Salute our Troops.

The Washington Redskins, our fans and our Operation Salute Our Troops partner BAE Systems salute all the men and women of the USO Metro, as well as all of our troops around the globe serving in harms way to defend our freedom.

To learn more about the USO Metro, please go to www.usometrodc.org. For more information on BAE Systems, go to www.baesystems.com.

Enlist Your Redskins Tickets! When you can’t make it to the game, your tickets still can. Donate your tickets for use by our troops and their families. Click here for more information.

-- Fan Watches Super Bowl XLIII in Style

Michael Kacer is an unabashed Pittsburgh Steelers fan--as evidenced by the Steelers tattoo on the prosthesis that serves as his left arm.

He is grateful to the Washington Redskins, the Military Order of the Purple Heart and Walter Reed Hospital for helping his dream come true.

Kacer, 27, was a staff sergeant in the 28th infantry division of the Pennsylvania National Guard. He was injured more than a year ago during a rocket attack in Afghanistan and lost his arm that had the Steelers tattoo.

When he was fitted for the prosthetic arm, of course he ordered that a new Steelers tattoo be placed on it.

As a recipient of the Purple Heart, Kacer was a guest of the Redskins, along with William Hisghman of Winchester, Va., at Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa.

“Me, a die-hard Steelers fan, at the big game,” Kacer told USA Today. “I can’t believe it.”

He celebrated in style as Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl over the Arizona Cardinals 27-23.

As part of Super Bowl week, Kacer went on a cruise with former Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann and some Redskins Cheerleaders. He attended a benefit with 3 Doors Down and Snoop Dog, partied in Ybor City and went to Busch Gardens.

Then he watched the game with Redskins team officials.

“It’s like a dream come true,” he said. “I know that’s a cliché, but that’s exactly what it is.”

-- Halftime Ceremony

On Nov. 3, 2008, the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, together with The Washington Redskins, honored two heroic servicemen at the halftime ceremonies during the Veteran’s Day game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

This ceremony proudly honored Staff Sergeant Calvin Linnette from Suffolk, Virginia, wounded with First Armored, 2nd Brigade, 2/6 Infantry Division C Company in Bagdad, Iraq and Sergeant First Class Sene Polu from Tafuna, American Samoa wounded with 4th Brigade, Second ID Fort Lewis, Washington Stryker Brigade in Baku bah, Iraq.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, The Honorable James B. Peake, R. Louis Spinelli, 1st Vice President of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, Gregory Bresser, Acting Executive Director of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, and Ransom Jordan of the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the USA presented each serviceman with life membership plaques as Patriots of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Purple Heart works nationally to support all of America’s combat wounded veterans and their widows and orphans. Patriots of this fraternal Order and their families are afforded claims service, scholarships and job training. To learn more about the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation go to www.purpleheartfoundation.org.

-- Time Out for Veteran’s Health at FedExField

As part of their ongoing participation with the Redskins, the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation teamed up with the Redskins Health and Wellness program.

The Purple Heart hosted a unique screening and education event in the Redskins team locker room at FedExField to encourage military veterans to be proactive about their health.

On Nov. 7, 2009, veterans had the opportunity to receive a comprehensive series of free health screenings including: cholesterol, diabetes, osteoporosis, blood pressure, prostate exams, body fat, grip strength, and patient health educational materials on various health conditions.

General Dynamics is proud to join Operation Salute Our Troops, a season-long military appreciation program that honors all the men and women of the Armed Services.

General Dynamics, the Washington Redskins and the USO have united together to host soldiers recovering from their battlefield wounds at local hospitals at Redskins home games. Each game they are recognized in a display on the stadium JumboTron and they get to show their spirit as the group is announced to the stadium.

These soldiers and their families are able to enjoy a day at FedExField with fellow Redskins fans. This is just one way Operation Salute Our Troops recognizes those individuals who dedicate their lives to protecting our country.

As one of the nation’s premier defense and technology companies, General Dynamics has a long and proud history of supporting and partnering with the men and women of the United States military and is proud to partner with the Washington Redskins on the Operation Salute our Troops program.

On behalf of The Washington Redskins, its fans and our Operation Salute Our Troops partner General Dynamics, we salute all the men and women who care for our wounded, as well as all of our troops around the globe serving in harms way to defend our great nation.

To learn more about General Dynamics, go to www.generaldynamics.com.

To learn more about the USO and to find out how you can help support our nation’s heroes, visit www.uso.com.