Jaguars' Salute to Service honors local military members

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jaguars fans were pumped to cheer on their team back at home Sunday. Mixed in with all the food, fun and games were thousands of military members.

The Jaguars gave out 6,000 tickets to service members, veterans and their families.

“That’s huge, a lot of military you know?” Lawrence Latimer said.

Latimer is a U.S. Navy Senior Chief Operations Specialist stationed at Mayport. The Jaguars are his team. He grew up in Jacksonville.

“I’m born third generation chief. There’s a lot of military here. Not just Navy -- Coast Guard,” he said.

Yolly Queitsch and her family were decked out in green for the Salute to Service game.

“We love our military,” she said. “My dad was in the Navy for 26 years, my brother’s currently in the Navy.”

The Jags also honored several heroes from Jacksonville during the game, including 101-year-old Army veteran Sollie Mitchell.

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“I was one of the first of color to work in Douglas MacArthur’s office,” Mitchell said. “The veterans, I’m very proud of them. The togetherness, I enjoy it.”

While many fans had the same goal – take down the Buccaneers – they said Sunday's game was about showing military members they’re appreciated.

“We’re just thankful. We love you and support you, thank you,” Queitsch said.

Gratitude many families said they feel year-round.

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Cox Media Group