The Cleveland Browns are committed to support our military and armed forces year round. Recently, the Browns welcomed nearly 100 active military personnel and Gold Star families to the Training Facility in Berea to exclusively watch Training Camp. Guest enjoyed reserved seating and viewing of Browns Training Camp as they gear up for the start of the season. Following practice, 26 players and Coach Pettine stopped by to show their appreciation for their dedication to our country. Players, including Miles Austin, Karlos Dansby, Alex Mack, Brian Hoyer, Paul Kruger and more signed autographs, posed for pictures and sincerely thanked those in attendance.
Left Tackle, Joe Thomas, was particularly popular amongst military personnel, as he has been a major supporter of local military events throughout his professional career in Cleveland. In 2010, Thomas traveled more than 14,000 miles round trip to visit troops in Afghanistan through the NFL/USO Tour; Alex Mack and Cleveland Browns Alumni Eric Metcalf have also participated in the overseas tours. To this day, Thomas continues to support the military and the local USO of Northern Ohio through various community initiatives with the Cleveland Browns. Also available for autographs was Browns long snapper Christian Yount. The long snapper, comes from a family with a rich tradition of military service. His closest friend, a First Lieutenant in the Marines, is currently deployed overseas.
Back in May, leading into Memorial Day weekend, both Thomas and Yount, visited the National Guard 112th Armory in Brook Park along with other teammates to visit with military members and Gold Star families as they show appreciation and pay respect for those who lost their life defending our country.
The overwhelming attendance of Browns players after practice reflects the respect the Cleveland Browns organization has for our military personnel for their selfless service to our country. The Cleveland Browns are proud to support these men and women who make the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country.
USO Northern Ohio, a private, congressionally chartered organization that supports active service members and their families, brought members of the Air Force, Marines, Army, Navy and Coast Guard. The USO is one of the key community partners for the Browns new community platform, First and Ten. Launched in June, the First and Ten program encourages Browns fans worldwide to give ten hours to help their communities. These members of our armed forces give far more than ten hours— protecting our country by land, air and sea. We are certainly grateful for their service pledge.
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