This will mark the 10th consecutive year that the Chiefs will don commemorative patches prior to the annual “Salute to Service” game, continuing a tradition that has honored various aspects of our nation’s military and its history.
It began with the intent of recognizing Gold Star families in 2016, as the Chiefs wore custom sweatshirts that each bore the name of a different veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country prior to Kansas City’s matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The hoodies were then gifted back to the loved ones of those veterans, culminating in an impactful gesture of remembrance that spawned a series of similar endeavors in the years since.
The Chiefs honored the many troops who call our community home the following season during “Salute to Service” month, sporting sweatshirts during warmups that featured a handful of different patches recognizing local military units. Representatives from nearby Fort Riley, alongside members of the Kansas and Missouri National Guard, were then surprised with the game-worn hoodies during a stadium tour soon afterward.
That tradition has persisted in the seven years since, too, as the Chiefs have worn patches honoring the armistice of World War I (2018), the commissioning of the USS Kansas City (2019), the 75th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II (2020), those who served in the Global War on Terrorism (2021), Operation Linebacker I & II (2022), the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the Vietnam War (2023), and the 249th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps.
It has grown into a meaningful display of solidarity during that time, providing the Chiefs with an opportunity to celebrate the individuals who make our freedom a reality. Monday’s matchup features two playoff teams from a year ago facing off, but without the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform, the game wouldn’t even be taking place.
This year’s patches help to ensure that we all remember that.