FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 28, 2012

CONTACT:

Audricia McKinney (202) 725-5269 amckinney@fleishman.com

RALEIGH, N.C-Calling all Panthers fans in the military! The Carolina Panthers organization is proud to honor the men and women of our armed forces through Operation Gameday, a program to recognize 10 servicemen during the Salute to Service when they play the Denver Broncos, Sunday Nov. 11, 1 p.m. at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. The Carolina Panthers have teamed up with the USO of NC to bring this opportunity to 10 special military Panther fans. The Panthers will provide our VIPs and their guest the Ultimate Panthers Fan Gameday Experience! The 10 selected troops (two-Army, two-Marines, two-Sailors, two-Airman, one-National Guardsman, and one-Coast Guardsman) will receive the ultimate tailgate experience with the Panthers Fanz, Panther fan package, two tickets, two field passes, lead the Carolina Panthers out of the team tunnel onto the field, and a few surprises along the way. The criteria for nomination are; the servicemember must be a Panthers fan, must be able to wear their service-equivalent combat uniform and be able to attend the Nov. 11 game. To nominate a deserving servicemember, complete the form below and email to Megan Grady at m.grady@uso-nc.org. All entries must be received no later than Friday, Oct 9. The Panthers and USO of NC committee will select 10 participants Friday, Oct. 26. CONNECT WITH US: The USO of North Carolina's vision leading the way to enrich the lives of Americas military in the Carolinas. The mission of the USO of North Carolina is to serve and support Americas military and their families. For more information on the USO of NC, please visit our Web site at www.uso-nc.org.

EVENT OVERVIEW

OPERATION game day

Operation Gameday was created to recognize and honor the military service men and women who have served in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, National Guard, Marines and Navy. The Carolina Panthers have teamed up with the USO of North Carolina to bring this opportunity to troops who are also Panther fans. The recognition will take place during the Carolina Panthers Salute to Service celebration when the Carolina Panthers take on the Denver Broncos, Sunday November 11 th at 1 p.m. The Panthers will provide our VIPs and their guest; the ultimate Panthers fan game day experience! The ten (10) selected troops will receive: Ultimate tailgate experience with the Panthers Fanz Panthers fan package Lead the Carolina Panthers out of the team tunnel onto Bank of America stadium Two tickets and two field passes And a few surprises along the way! NOMINATION/SELECTION PROCESS Email soldiers bio (example below) to Megan Grady at USO-NC by FRIDAY OCTOBER 19 to m.grady@uso-nc.org Panthers/USO-NC Committee will select ten (10) participants the following week. The Carolina Panthers are looking for the following: Ten (10) troops to participate Two each from: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, one (1) National Guardsman & Coast Guardsman. o Please make every effort to find a female The Operation Gameday participant: 1. Must be Panthers fan. 2. Must be able to wear their service-equivalent combat uniform 3. Must be able to attend the game MEDIA/PAO PAO and other media contacts, please contact Peter Vacho at 704-358-7436 or peter.vacho@panthers.nfl.com if you are interested in covering this gameday event.
CONTACTS Carolina Panthers Peter Vacho 800 S. Mint Street P 704-358-7436 Peter.vacho@panthers.nfl.com USO-NC Megan Grady Charlotte-Douglas Center P 704-359-5584 m.grady@uso-nc.org

NOMINATOR INFORMATION Rank/Name_______________________________________ Branch___________________________________________ Email____________________________________________ Address______________________________________________________________________________ NOMINEE INFORMATION & MILITARY BACKGROUN D/BIO Rank/Name_______________________________________ Branch___________________________________________ Email____________________________________________ Base _____________________________ Phone ____________________________ Mobile _____________________________ Base _____________________________ Phone ____________________________

Address______________________________________________________________________________ Favorite Panthers memory/game:

Panthers fan since: ____________ Military background/bio PLEASE INCLUDE ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER (below is example)
Injured February 17, 2007 in Fallujah, Iraq. Attended Marine Corps Recruit Training on September 10, 2001 at Parris Island, SC. Assigned to and deployed with 2nd Tank Battalion 2nd Marine Division for 2 combat tours to Iraq. Staff Sergeant Joe was awarded the Purple Heart Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with combat V for valor while serving as a Tank Commander with Charlie Company 2nd Tank Battalion when his tank was struck by a Rocket- Propelled Grenade launcher. In December 2007 Staff Sergeant Joe was awarded the Tanker of the Year Award by the Marine Corps Tankers Association at Camp Lejune, NC. Staff Sergeant Joe is still currently serving on Active Duty and currently works at the Wounded Warrior Battalion.