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Sergeant Grace Mei - United States Army

Over her ten-year military career, Sgt. Mei has served in various capacities, including as a Human Resources Specialist with the 434th Field Artillery Brigade at Fort Sill in Oklahoma and with the United States Army Sustainment Command HQ at Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois. She has also completed two overseas tours in South Korea with the Second Infantry Division. Currently, Sgt. Mei is a Postal Operations NCO with JMPA Chicago HQ, where she coordinates with USPS, ISC airlines and the department of defense. Sgt. Mei will retire on Aug. 18th, after a distinguished career during which she has been awarded the Army Commendation Medal (Second Award), the Army WWWAchievement Medal (Fifth Award) and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Captain Kristian Wahlgren - United States Navy

Over his twenty-six year military career, Captain Wahlgren has served in various capacities, including assignments in Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, San Diego in California, Norfolk in Virginia and Naples in Italy. In 2020, he deployed as the Supply Officer on the United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy, a Mercy-class Hospital Ship, where he provided logistics support during the COVID-19 pandemic

Today, Captain Wahlgren serves as the Deputy Finance Officer with Naval Information Warfare Systems Command in San Diego. Throughout his distinguished career, Captain Wahlgren has been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. The Military Salute provides the opportunity for the Bears, Boeing and fans to give thanks and show support to those who protect our country and to also honor the history and heritage of Soldier Field.

Lieutenant Jim Labbe - U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and Chicago Police department

Lt. Labbe served as a reservist in the U.S. Army prior to his time in the Coast Guard. During his 19-year military career, Lt. Labbe served in Iraq in 2003, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom with the U.S. Army 822nd Military Police Company. Since joining the Coast Guard Reserve in 2013, he has deployed for Southwest Border Operations, Hurricane Ida and most recently served as the Maritime Security Project Officer for the DNC in Chicago.

He is currently serving as a Contingency Planner with the Marine Safety Unit Chicago. In addition to his service in the Coast Guard and Army, Lt. Labbe has been a member of the Chicago Police Department for 23 years. Serving as Lieutenant of Police, Labbe has been recognized over 35 times for his honorable work in the CPD. For his service in the military, Lt. Labbe has been awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

Captain Daniel Quan - United States Marine Corps

During his seven-year military career, Captain Daniel Quan has served in across the United States in Quantico, Va., Camp Lejeune, N.C., Camp Pendleton, Calif., Twentynine Palms, Calif. and Great Lakes, Ill. In 2020, Captain Quan was deployed to Okinawa, Japan, where he served as Combat Engineer Platoon Commander with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. In this role, he was responsible for the training, development and deployment of combat engineers, supporting the infantry battalion in mobility, counter-mobility, survivability and general engineering operations.

Today, he is serving as the Operations Officer for the 3rd Civil Affairs Group at Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois. Captain Quan's commendable service has earned him the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation and the National Defense Service Medal. The Military Salute provides the opportunity for the Chicago Bears, Boeing and fans to give thanks, show support to those who protect our country and honor the history and heritage of Soldier Field.

Major General Rodney Boyd - Illinois National Guard, U.S. Army

During his 42-year military career, General Boyd has deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. Currently, General Boyd serves as the 41st Adjutant General of the State of Illinois and serves on the Governor's cabinet as the Director of the Illinois Department of Military Affairs. General Boyd is the commander for both the Illinois Army and Air National Guard where he is responsible for daily operations and oversees over 13,000 military members.

In 2024, Major General Boyd made history as the first Black officer to command the Illinois National Guard, making him the highest-ranking officer of color in the nearly 300-year history of the organization. General Boyd's distinguished military career includes the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. General Boyd grew up on Chicago's South Side and joined the Marine Corps in 1982. In civilian life, Boyd was the chief of the Bellwood Police Department and has been married to his wife Darlene for 33 years. They have two sons and a grandchild.

Master Sergeant Chris Chesnek - United States Air Force

During his 19-year military career, Sergeant Chesnek has served in Korea, Germany, United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan. In 2015, Sergeant Chesnek was deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan where he served as a System Administrator with 9th Air Expeditionary Task Force Afghanistan. In this role he managed IT systems, networks, servers and end-user devices, ensuring functionality, security and cybersecurity protocols. He provided technical support and problem resolution while safeguarding $120,000 worth of IT equipment.

Additionally, he supported the Task Force Commander's personal security and ensured smooth communication and operational continuity for the mission. For his service, Master Sergeant Chesnek has been awarded the Joint Commendation Medal and Air and Space Force Commendation Medal. He is currently serving as a Flight Chief with the 347th Recruiting Squadron in Oak Creek, Wis., where he manages a team of recruiters. Sergeant Chesnek leads and develops recruiters, ensuring the squadron's success in recruiting qualified Air Force personnel.

Retail Specialist First Class Ashley Houser - United States Navy

Over the course of her 10-year military career, RS1 Houser has served in key locations including Great Lakes, Ill., Bremerton, Wash., and in 2017, she deployed to the Middle East. During her deployment, RS1 Houser played a critical role aboard the USS Nimitz, an aircraft carrier, where she oversaw damage control and conducted maintenance checks to ensure the ship's operational readiness. Her ability to perform under pressure were vital to the success of the mission.

Currently, RS1 Houser serves as a Recruit Division Commander at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill., where she leads and mentors new recruits, ensuring they are prepared for Naval service and instilling in them the values of discipline, leadership and teamwork. Her leadership and dedication have earned her three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, recognizing her exceptional contributions to her unit and the Navy as a whole. The Chicago Bears are honored to recognize Retail Specialist First Class Ashley Houser at this week's game for her outstanding service and commitment to our country.

Sergeant Dalton Payne - United States Marine Corps

Sergeant Payne has served in various capacities over his six-year military career, including an overseas tour as a Combat Videographer with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Okinawa, Japan. He has additionally served as the Communication Strategy and Operations Chief of Marine Aircraft Group 24, based in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Currently, Sergeant Payne is the Marketing and Communication Chief of Marine Corps Recruiting Station Chicago.

In his role, Sergeant Payne oversees the coordination of events and cultivates strategic partnerships with local businesses and influencers in support of the Marine Corps. He is also responsible for managing, designing and producing visual assets, including photos, videos, newsletters, graphic art and various promotional materials. Sergeant Payne has been awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a gold star, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and Global War on Terrorism Medal. The Chicago Bears are honored to recognize United States Marine Corps Sergeant Dalton Payne at this week's game for his service.

Master Sergeant Cody Whitford - United States Air Force

During his twelve-year military career, Master Sergeant Whitford has served in various locations across America and internationally, including Iraq, Korea, and most recently, Saudi Arabia. During his tour in Saudi Arabia, Master Sergeant Whitford served as an Air Traffic Controller assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron where he was responsible for around-the-clock air traffic control, enabling and supporting the successful execution of 14,000 combat missions across the Middle East.

Now back state-side, Master Sergeant Whitford serves as the Assistant Chief Controller with the 47th Operations Support Squadron based out of the Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas. In this position, he assists in overseeing and managing air traffic control operations, ensuring the safe and efficient movement of aircrafts while coordinating training, readiness and communications within the squadron. Master Sergeant Whitford has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air and Space Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal with Combat Device for his service. The Chicago Bears are honored to recognize Master Sergeant Cody Whitford.