Aaron Jones, Sr., is among many who appreciate the sacrifices of military members and families. He also is uniquely positioned to relate with their experiences.

The Vikings running back hosted surviving family members — a wife and two young children — of Minnesota Army National Guard CW2 Charles Nord at U.S. Bank Stadium Oct. 19 for Minnesota's matchup against Philadelphia.

Aaron spent time visiting with Kaley Nord and the couple's daughter and son, ages 8 and 5, on the sideline pregame and expressed his gratitude and respect for Charles, a Blackhawk pilot who was tragically killed in December of 2019 when his helicopter crashed.

Kaley was immediately touched by the way Aaron kneeled on the turf to speak eye-level with her kids, asked their names and made them feel an incredible welcome at their first NFL game.

"He was just so genuine and kind," said Kaley, a member of TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors). "And being able to tell us his background in the military, and for him to remember Charles and honor him by inviting us to this game, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"He showed that he truly cares," she added.

Aaron, this year's Vikings Salute to Service nominee, made sure to tell Kaley "thank you," as well, later explaining that the spouse and children of a servicemember should also be recognized for their sacrifice.

"The whole family serves," he said. "They feel the hardship, as well — and now, more than ever, they're feeling the hardship of the military. So that's why I told her, 'Thank you for your service.'

"I told her, 'You have a lot of love here. People who are here to support you,' " continued Aaron, who shared with Kaley his A&A All the Way Foundation.

He noted a shared loss, his father having tragically passed away in 2021 due to COVID-19.

"We can relate on losing someone, though not to war or the military," Aaron said. "But my parents, both being in the Army, they've had their fair share of experience where they were the ones to inform families or be there to console a spouse. So, it's dear to my heart, and I'm all about honoring legacies and continuing the legacy. I found that when I lost my father, and this is a way for me to honor someone else's legacy, as well. He's a true hero in my eyes."

A&A All the Way, established by Aaron and his twin brother, Alvin Jr., has and will continue to welcome military families for all Vikings home games during the 2025 season.

Aaron maintained his commitment and connected pregame with families even during his time on Injured Reserve after suffering a hamstring injury Week 2 against the Falcons.

Whether he's speaking with active military or veterans, Aaron always makes sure to look them in their eyes and tell them, "Thank you."

"It means a lot to them," he said. "Knowing they did make a sacrifice for our country and [I understand] the parts that nobody sees, the tough times they go through when they're deployed, acknowledging those things with a 'thank you' goes a long way.

"They're often fighting so many battles once they come back from being deployed or being away from their families," Aaron continued, "and they're trying to return to normal life. That can be hard. So like I said, a 'thank you' … does a lot for them. It lets them know, 'Hey, we appreciate you for making that sacrifice for our country. Making a sacrifice so we can stay over here and do our normal-day things or, for me, playing a kid's game, really.

"I think personal interaction is the best way to get to know somebody," he added. "Meeting somebody, shaking their hand, making that connection, it goes a lot further. It's a lot deeper and a lot more meaningful. That's what I want to get across. That's who I am."

Ask anyone who's spent time with Aaron, and they'll attest to that. Giving back and connecting with others, especially those who have served or are serving in the military, is part of his very core.

It comes naturally for Aaron, whose late father, Alvin Jones, Sr., served 29 years in the U.S. Army and mother, Vurgess, served 27 years, both retiring as sergeant majors.

"It was really my upbringing, my life," said Aaron, who lived on military bases throughout his childhood and up until college. "That's what I know. That's who I am."

Aaron, Alvin and their older sister Chelsi'rae understand the challenges of not only recurring relocation (the Jones family lived in multiple states and even in Germany before El Paso, Texas) but also being separated from parents due to service deployments.

Alvin Sr. and Vurgess were deployed multiple times, the first during the Iraqi War when Aaron and Alvin Jr. were in second grade.

Aaron recalled his father being deployed first; then three months later, his mom.

"She told us, 'Hey, they're sending me over. Your grandpa is going to come pick you guys up and drive you to Virginia. You're going to live with your aunt and uncle,' " Aaron recounted.

During the week, the Jones children stayed with their maternal aunt and uncle. They spent weekends with their dad's side and stayed involved in athletics with their cousins.

"That's why they say it takes a village," Aaron said. "When you have kids, you're raising a family, it takes a village. You have to have other people who care about your children, who are willing to make a sacrifice, as well."

Children whose parents are actively serving often experience anxiety and uncertainty, which Aaron also learned to navigate.

The idea of "war" filled his 7-year-old mind with images from lessons he'd had on the Revolutionary War: soldiers lined up in endless rows, using metal rods to stuff gunpowder into their muskets before going to battle on a foggy field.

"You know, where if you're in the first row, you [probably won't] survive. That's what I thought. So I'm like, 'I hope they come back,' " Aaron said.

Alvin Sr. always told his kids, "I'm coming back to you."

"And he always did," Aaron said emotionally.

Alvin Sr. and Vurgess did multiple tours overseas, but a couple of their returns especially touch Aaron's heart.

"My uncle took us to the airport, and we're like, 'Why are we here?' " Aaron remembered, smiling. "So we're just walking … and we look up, and my dad's right there! We take off, and we run to him and just jump on him.

"Then the next time, I remember my mom had come home and my dad was coming back, and we went and met him at the airfield early in the morning," Aaron continued. "They told us we didn't have to go to school that day. We went home and we watched movies together; we all laid on top of my dad, my mom was there, and we just ordered pizza and watched movies all day long. That was the best day of my life."

Real-life experiences are what inspired the Joneses to launch A&A All the Way in 2020, officially establishing a nonprofit that supports youth of military families in numerous ways.

But Aaron's been making a difference and building relationships long before filing the paperwork for a 501(c)(3), and he credits Vurgess and Alvin Sr. for that.

"The values my parents instilled in me — teamwork, leadership … responsibility, character," Aaron said. "It's made me who I am today, and that's why I'm so thankful for the military. It's really changed our lives."

Over the years, the Joneses have donated their own time and resources to provide military families with joy-filled experiences, such as trips to the zoo or movie nights. Aaron has participated in "Huddle for Heroes" events, penning letters to active-duty military members. He's spent time with Blue Star and TAPS families, sharing his own story in a gesture of encouragement and deep gratitude.

This August, A&A All the Way joined forces with the Vikings and the United Heroes League to host a back-to-school event specifically focused on supporting students of military families, providing them with classroom supplies and brand-new shoes.

Aaron spent time this spring on an NFL-USO Tour, where he visited U.S. service members stationed at military bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates. Included on the tour were visits to Camp Buehring and Camp Arifjan, the latter of which held special significance for Aaron, as Vurgess had previously been stationed there.

And in addition to families he welcomes at U.S. Bank Stadium, Aaron spent time connecting with TAPS families in London prior to Minnesota playing Cleveland in its second straight International Series game.

"He makes such a tremendous impact on families because he wants them to know they matter and their [spouse's] service mattered," Kaley said. "I think he's sparking a light in children to appreciate sports, football and others, and it's so cool to be able to meet somebody who plays in the NFL.

"It would be easy to send an autograph or write a check, but I can see his compassion and his love that he has, and I feel like having that experience and being able to have the memories, it just shows the way he was brought up," she continued. "And now my kids will be able to look back and see the pictures forever, and it's so wonderful."

Being a part of TAPS, meeting Aaron and now knowing about his foundation and its resources have been answered prayers for Kaley, who explained that Charles tragically passed away two months before her son was born.

"I pray for good, strong men to help and influence both my daughter and son," Kaley said, her voice breaking. "So meeting Aaron just meant the world."