Packers honor US Marine Jack Zimmerman for Operation Fan Mail

The Green Bay Packers and WPS Health Solutions paid special tribute to U.S. Marine Jack Zimmerman during Saturday’s game against the Browns for ‘Operation Fan Mail.’

Operation Fan Mail, the program that recognizes military families and veterans at each Packers home game, is marking its 15th season in 2021.

Zimmerman, originally from Kingsford, Mich., joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2019. He was present during the Aug. 26, 2021, troop evacuation in Kabul, Afghanistan. Working at the Abbey Gate to the Hamid Karzai International Airport, he was among the military personnel who were attacked by a suicide bomber wearing a 25-pound explosive vest.

Zimmerman was hit with shrapnel and shot at by gunmen, yet he carried and assisted others who were wounded or killed in action. Three of his friends were among the 13 U.S. service members and 60 Afghans killed in the attack. They were David Espinoza, Kareem Nikoui, and Zimmerman’s roommate, Rylee McCollum.