Packers and WPS Health Solutions: Wenzel Family Saluted for Operation Fan Mail

Media Contact:
Katie Hermsen
Green Bay Packers
920-569-7218
hermsenk@packers.com

GREEN BAY, Wis.—Oct. 22, 2017—The Green Bay Packers and WPS Health Solutions paid special tribute to Dustin and Natalie Wenzel and their family during Sunday’s Packers-Saints game for Operation Fan Mail.

Dustin Wenzel, originally from Wausau, joined the Army in 2005. He has served in a variety of areas, previously as a local area network manager in Korea, information systems analyst in Colorado, and Army cyber command readiness non-commissioned officer in Virginia.

He also served a 15-month tour for Operation Iraqi Freedom and a 12-month tour for Operation Enduring Freedom, and was recently selected to be promoted to sergeant first class. He was chosen in December 2016 to become an Army recruiter, and currently serves in Wisconsin, having received recruiting duty orders to his hometown of Wausau.

Natalie Wenzel is a disabled veteran of the Navy, serving honorably from 2000 to 2008. After leaving the Navy, she moved to South Carolina for an engineering position.

Both grew up as Packers fans, and met by chance in 2009, when Natalie noticed Dustin enter the room wearing a Packers jersey and hat. The couple has two daughters, 7-year-old Charlotte and 3-year-old Vanessa.

The Wenzels attended Sunday’s game with Dustin’s brothers, Mitch and Cody Witzeling.

Operation Fan Mail, which debuted in 2007, is designed to recognize families with a member who is on active duty. The Packers and WPS Health Solutions will host a family at each 2017 home game and recognize them on the field during pregame activities. A total of 103 individuals or families have been recognized through the program thus far.

To choose families, the Packers and WPS Health Solutions are asking interested families, or friends of eligible families, to submit an essay, 500 words or less, on why a particular fan should be saluted. Essays can be sent to: Operation Fan Mail, P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI, 54307-0628 or http://nfl.packers.com/gameday/gameday_promotions/operation_fan_mail/.

In addition to being recognized on-field prior to the game, selected families receive four tickets to the game. Families intended for recognition are those that have a member serving on active duty. The family member can be a spouse, mother, father, son, daughter or sibling.

Natalie and Dustin Wenzel are shown on the field with Dustin’s brothers, Cody and Mitch Witzeling. (Photo by Katie Hermsen/Green Bay Packers)

About WPS Health Solutions
WPS Health Solutions is a nationally regarded government contractor and a leading Wisconsin not-for-profit health insurer. The WPS Health Insurance division offers affordable health plans and benefits administration. The WPS Government Health Administrators division administers Part A and B Medicare benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and the WPS Military and Veterans Health division serves millions more members who are active in the U.S. military, veterans and their families. In 2017, the international Ethisphere® Institute named WPS one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® for the eighth straight year. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.