DATE: August 31, 2020 4:39:07 PM CDT

Kansas City Chiefs recognize area service members

Stephen Standifird

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Aug. 31, 2020) — The National Football League is less than two weeks from their first game in the 2020-2021 season, but the Kansas City Chiefs took some time away from football to recognize area military members.

Every year the Kansas City Chiefs invite more than 100 service members from around the region to participate in a military appreciation day at their training camp. Due to COVID-19, they were unable to hold their annual event, but team officials still found a way to reach out to honor the military.

Staff Sgt. Erik Rostamo, U.S. Army Drill Sergeant of the Year, represented both Fort Leonard Wood and the Army in a virtual conference with Sean Butler, former player and now broadcaster, and other officials from the Chiefs organization.

“I think that the Chiefs reaching out to the military in general says the Kansas City Chiefs support our military,” Rostamo said. “I appreciate this opportunity (to represent the Army).”

As is tradition, the representatives from each branch of service received a Chiefs’ Salute to Service football and were able to talk football with Butler.

“Thank you for all you do and all your sacrifices,” Butler said during the call. “I am always so humbled and blessed for the freedoms we have. All of those freedoms are protected by each service member and service group in their own way.”

Staff Sgt. Erik Rostamo, U.S. Army Drill Sergeant of the Year, represented both Fort Leonard Wood and the Army in a virtual conference with members of the Kansas City Chiefs football organization. Every year the Chiefs invite more than 100 service members from around the region to participate in a military appreciation day at their training camp. Due to COVID-19, this year’s event was held virtually. (Photo by Steve Standifird)

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About Fort Leonard Wood

Fort Leonard Wood is a thriving and prosperous installation that has evolved from a small basic training post more than 75 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains more than 80,000 military and civilians each year.

Fort Leonard Wood is home to the U.S Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and three U.S. Army schools: the U.S. Army Engineer School; U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School; and the U.S. Army Military Police School. In addition to training engineer, CBRN and military police specialties for the Army, Fort Leonard Wood also provides gender-integrated in-processing and Basic Combat Training for new Soldiers.

Fort Leonard Wood also hosts and trains with the largest Marine Corps Detachment and Air Force Squadron on any Army installation as well as a large Navy construction detachment.

More information about Fort Leonard Wood is at: https://home.army.mil/wood/index.php/about/mission