In advance of Thursday night's Salute to Service game against the Panthers, four Bears players recently toured Naval Station Great Lakes.
In partnership with USAA, offensive lineman Cody Whitehair, long-snapper Patrick Scales, punter Trenton Gill and defensive end Khalid Kareem visited the facility, which is located about 10 miles north of Halas Hall.
Upon arrival, the players proceeded to the USS Constitution and were treated as if they were incoming recruits. They learned how to put on SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus), carry firefighting gear and move a dummy to a triage space. The players also toured a $65 million ship simulator that is utilized to train recruits.
"It's absolutely outstanding, having four Chicago Bears players come here to recruit training command Great Lakes, said Michael Magnetta, USAA military affairs representative and a retired U.S. Navy command master chief. "To show them what your average young American who raises their right hand to join the military goes through is really a unique opportunity for the players. It gives the players a good appreciation for what those young men and women go through to serve their country."
No one appreciated the experience more than Whitehair, who has been named the Bears' Salute to Service nominee for the second straight year. Click here to vote for Whitehair as the NFL's 2023 Salute to Service Award winner.
"It was pretty cool," he said. "To go through a day in their life with recruit training and to see what they do on the ship to train, it was a great experience overall, something I've never done before."
Whitehair comes from a military family. His grandfather, Al Racy, served in the Air Force, and his great-grandfather, Ed Blewit, also spent time in the armed forces.
Whitehair consistently supports members of the military. As part of the Bears' Home Team Hand-Off ticket donation program, he purchases four tickets to home games and donates them to the member of the military who is honored on the field as part of the Boeing Military Salute in the third quarter. The veteran offensive lineman also provides an autographed jersey to the honorees.
In the past, Whitehair has participated in Salute to Service week events, including a luncheon at Halas Hall with veterans from the Midwest Veterans Homeless Shelter.
Like Whitehair, Scales comes from a military background—with about a dozen relatives serving or having served—and enjoyed touring Naval Station Great Lakes.
"It was definitely a unique experience," Scales said. "And it was really cool."
Being treated like an incoming recruit gave the players even more appreciation for the young men and women who join the Navy.
"You can't even describe the physical demands they put their bodies through," Whitehair said. "It's a 10-week course where they're getting yelled at. It was a pretty cool experience for us to come to."
"I saw the looks on their faces as the recruit division commanders were welcoming them on board on the base," Magnetta said. "They all realized in that very moment that it was the same feeling that those young men and women get when they step aboard this base as well, and I think they were honored to go through that process."
The Bears hosted and participated in a variety of events honoring and supporting the military ahead of Nov. 9's Salute to Service game against the Panthers at Soldier Field.
To honor veterans who served during the Vietnam War, the Bears hosted a recognition breakfast at Halas Hall in partnership with the Vietnam War Commemoration and USAA. The event featured a special pinning ceremony with chairman George H. McCaskey and president & CEO Kevin Warren.
To honor veterans who served during the Vietnam War, the Bears hosted a recognition breakfast at Halas Hall in partnership with the Vietnam War Commemoration and USAA. The event featured a special pinning ceremony with chairman George H. McCaskey and president & CEO Kevin Warren.
To honor veterans who served during the Vietnam War, the Bears hosted a recognition breakfast at Halas Hall in partnership with the Vietnam War Commemoration and USAA. Head coach Matt Eberflus and chief of staff Sean Magee spoke to the group to thank them for their service.
To honor veterans who served during the Vietnam War, the Bears hosted a recognition breakfast at Halas Hall in partnership with the Vietnam War Commemoration and USAA. Head coach Matt Eberflus and chief of staff Sean Magee spoke to the group to thank them for their service.
To honor veterans who served during the Vietnam War, the Bears hosted a recognition breakfast at Halas Hall in partnership with the Vietnam War Commemoration and USAA. Chairman George H. McCaskey and president & CEO Kevin Warren spent time with the veterans to thank and honor them for their service.
To honor veterans who served during the Vietnam War, the Bears hosted a recognition breakfast at Halas Hall in partnership with the Vietnam War Commemoration and USAA.
Punter Trenton Gill, defensive lineman Khalid Kareem, long snapper Patrick Scales and offensive lineman Cody Whitehair visited Naval Station Great Lakes for a tour of the base. During their time at the station, the players saw some of the daily responsibilities of the stationed service members.
Punter Trenton Gill, defensive lineman Khalid Kareem, long snapper Patrick Scales and offensive lineman Cody Whitehair visited Naval Station Great Lakes for a tour of the base. During their time at the station, the players saw some of the daily responsibilities of the stationed service members.
Punter Trenton Gill, defensive lineman Khalid Kareem, long snapper Patrick Scales and offensive lineman Cody Whitehair visited Naval Station Great Lakes for a tour of the base. During their time at the station, the players saw some of the daily responsibilities of the stationed service members
Punter Trenton Gill, defensive lineman Khalid Kareem, long snapper Patrick Scales and offensive lineman Cody Whitehair visited Naval Station Great Lakes for a tour of the base. During their time at the station, the players saw some of the daily responsibilities of the stationed service members.
Punter Trenton Gill, defensive lineman Khalid Kareem, long snapper Patrick Scales and offensive lineman Cody Whitehair visited Naval Station Great Lakes for a tour of the base. During their time at the station, the players saw some of the daily responsibilities of the stationed service members.
Punter Trenton Gill, defensive lineman Khalid Kareem, long snapper Patrick Scales and offensive lineman Cody Whitehair visited Naval Station Great Lakes for a tour of the base. During their time at the station, the players saw some of the daily responsibilities of the stationed service members.
The Bears, in partnership with Merging Vets & Players (MVP), hosted a workout and dinner for 60 military veterans at Halas Hall for the second year. Former Bears, including Brandon McGowan, Matt Suhey, and James Williams, participated in a non-contact football drill workout with the veterans.
The Bears, in partnership with Merging Vets & Players (MVP), hosted a workout and dinner for 60 military veterans at Halas Hall for the second year. Former Bears, including Brandon McGowan, Matt Suhey, and James Williams, participated in a non-contact football drill workout with the veterans.
The Bears, in partnership with Merging Vets & Players (MVP), hosted a workout and dinner for 60 military veterans at Halas Hall for the second year. Former Bears, including Brandon McGowan, Matt Suhey, and James Williams, participated in a non-contact football drill workout with the veterans.
The Chicago Bears, in partnership with Merging Vets & Players (MVP), hosted a workout and dinner for 60 military veterans at Halas Hall for the second year. Former Bears players, including Brandon McGowan, Matt Suhey, and James Williams, participated in a non-contact football drill workout with the veterans.
The Bears, in partnership with Merging Vets & Players (MVP), hosted a workout and dinner for 60 military veterans at Halas Hall for the second year. Former Bears, including Brandon McGowan, Matt Suhey, and James Williams, participated in a non-contact football drill workout with the veterans.
The Bears, in partnership with Merging Vets & Players (MVP), hosted a workout and dinner for 60 military veterans at Halas Hall for the second year. Former Bears, including Brandon McGowan, Matt Suhey, and James Williams, participated in a non-contact football drill workout with the veterans.
The Bears hosted students from Carver Military Academy High School JROTC at Halas Hall for lunch and to watch the team practice. The students had the opportunity to meet with several players and coaches and break down the huddle after practice.
The Bears hosted students from Carver Military Academy High School JROTC at Halas Hall for lunch and to watch the team practice. The students had the opportunity to meet with several players and coaches and breakdown the huddle after practice.
The Bears hosted students from Carver Military Academy High School JROTC at Halas Hall for lunch and to watch the team practice. The students had the opportunity to meet with several players and coaches and breakdown the huddle after practice.
The Bears hosted students from Carver Military Academy High School JROTC at Halas Hall for lunch and to watch the team practice. The students had the opportunity to meet with several players and coaches and breakdown the huddle after practice.
The Bears hosted students from Carver Military Academy High School JROTC at Halas Hall for lunch and to watch the team practice. The students had the opportunity to meet with several players and coaches and breakdown the huddle after practice.
The Bears invited a group of veterans from Wounded Warrior Project for a watch party at Topgolf in Schaumburg. The gathering included alumni Mickey Pruitt, D'Wayne Bates, Mark Carrier and Brandon McGowan, all of whom joined the veterans to watch the Bears take on the New Orleans Saints.
The Bears invited a group of veterans from Wounded Warrior Project for a watch party at Topgolf in Schaumburg. The gathering included alumni Mickey Pruitt, D'Wayne Bates, Mark Carrier and Brandon McGowan, all of whom joined the veterans to watch the Bears take on the New Orleans Saints.
The Bears invited a group of veterans from Wounded Warrior Project for a watch party at Topgolf in Schaumburg. The gathering included alumni Mickey Pruitt, D'Wayne Bates, Mark Carrier and Brandon McGowan, all of whom joined the veterans to watch the Bears take on the New Orleans Saints.
The Bears invited a group of veterans from Wounded Warrior Project for a watch party at Topgolf in Schaumburg. The gathering included alumni Mickey Pruitt, D'Wayne Bates, Mark Carrier and Brandon McGowan, all of whom joined the veterans to watch the Bears take on the New Orleans Saints.
The Bears invited a group of veterans from Wounded Warrior Project for a watch party at Topgolf in Schaumburg. The gathering included alumni Mickey Pruitt, D'Wayne Bates, Mark Carrier and Brandon McGowan, all of whom joined the veterans to watch the Bears take on the New Orleans Saints.
The Bears and USAA co-hosted a private dinner at Gene & Georgetti steakhouse to honor women in service. This event celebrated over 25 female active-duty and veteran members from various military branches, providing them a moment to share their stories and experiences.
The Bears and USAA co-hosted a private dinner at Gene & Georgetti steakhouse to honor women in service. This event celebrated over 25 female active-duty and veteran members from various military branches, providing them a moment to share their stories and experiences.
The Bears and USAA co-hosted a private dinner at Gene & Georgetti steakhouse to honor women in service. This event celebrated over 25 female active-duty and veteran members from various military branches, providing them a moment to share their stories and experiences. Former defensive back Jerry Azumah was also in attendance.
The Bears and USAA co-hosted a private dinner at Gene & Georgetti steakhouse to honor women in service. This event celebrated over 25 female active-duty and veteran members from various military branches, providing them a moment to share their stories and experiences. Former defensive back Jerry Azumah was also in attendance.
The Bears' women in service dinner featured interviews conducted by team reporter Lauren Screeden, including conversations with two remarkable military women, 101-year-old World War II Veteran Bette Horstman and Brigadier General Antoinette Gant.
The Bears' women in service dinner featured interviews conducted by team reporter Lauren Screeden, including conversations with two remarkable military women, 101-year-old World War II Veteran Bette Horstman and Brigadier General Antoinette Gant.
Former Bears defensive back Jerry Azumah attended the team's women in service dinner, where team reporter Lauren Screeden interviewed 101-year-old World War II Veteran Bette Horstman.
