Reservists honored during NFL's 'Salute to Service'

by Maj. Shannon Mann
916th Public Affairs Office

11/13/2012 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C.  -- Veteran's Day this year fell directly on a Sunday and the NFL wasn't going to let this opportunity to say 'thank you' pass them by.

For two reservists from the 916th Air Refueling Wing, Veteran's Day 2012 is a holiday that will be with them for a lifetime.

Tech. Sgt. Brian Nash and Maj. Erin Karl were in the Bank of America Stadium on Nov. 11, 2012. Both were invited by the Carolina Panthers to participate in Operation Gameday.

Nash, a reservist with the 916th Security Forces Squadron, was nominated for the experience because of his actions while deployed to Afghanistan in late 2011 and early 2012.

Nash was honored by the Carolina Panthers with front row tickets to the game and a meet-and-greet with team players. In addition, Nash was one of a handful of military members that led the team onto the field at the start of the game.

"The experience more than exceeded my expectations," said Nash. "I felt like a rock star all day."

While the overall experience was amazing, Nash was most impressed with the Panthers tight end, #88 Greg Olsen.

"This guy came up to us and wanted to personally shake all of our hands and talk with us," said Nash. "He thanked us for our service and took pictures with each of us. He has an infant son who was just allowed to come home from the hospital this week after having two life threatening surgeries and he was taking time to talk with me and his fans."

The day was made even more special for Nash and the 916th Air Refueling Wing, in the fact that Maj. Erin Karl, deputy chief of public affairs, was selected to sing the national anthem for the game.

"Singing at an NFL game, especially on a day that honors those in uniform, was a dream come true," said Karl. "The energy in the stadium was electric, supportive, and patriotic. I loved every minute of it."

Karl sang in front of more than 70,000 fans and timed the anthem with a flyover provided by F-15s from the Louisiana National Guard.

While the four-ship of fighters drowned out her final notes, she was more than happy to share the spotlight.

"The best part, to be honest, was having a few of my notes drowned out by the F-15 flyover," Karl said. "I like being the center of attention, but being upstaged by a show of our air superiority was really fantastic."

Nash echoed her sentiments about it being the best part of the day.

"I would have to say that standing on the 50-yard line saluting with personnel from all the armed forces, listening to Maj. Erin Karl singing the national anthem, and having four F-15's fly over at the end was the best I felt all day," said Nash.

Both Karl and Nash thanked the USO of North Carolina and the Carolina Panthers for the experience of a lifetime.

"I have always been thankful to the USO for its continued support of the troops," Nash said. "After this experience I have vowed to volunteer more with the USO and get the word out to my family and friends about how important it is to support this organization."