EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings and Polaris once again teamed up to make a difference in honor of Salute to Service.

The annual initiative is the NFL's ongoing commitment to honor, empower and connect with U.S. servicemembers, veterans and their families. Since 2011, Salute to Service has raised more than $75 million through partnerships with leading organizations.

Last week, Polaris and the Vikings hosted four special events, including two separate VA hospital visits in the Twin Cities and St. Cloud, a Vikings Home Team military baby shower and a Salute to Service Legends Reception held at the Minnesota Vikings Museum.

Vikings visit Minneapolis V.A. hospital to connect with military vets

Vikings and Lions and Packers, oh my!

William Niemer sat behind a cafeteria-style table in a large gathering space at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center last Tuesday and couldn't help but share a funny-but-true story about his two sons.

One is a Vikings fan and the other roots for the Lions. So, visiting a game at Detroit in Week 9 was a sensible choice. But they opted for an adventure to Green Bay and fittingly rejoiced over a Packers loss.

Listeners got a kick out of the NFC North randomness. The hooty tone-setter's backstory was hilarious.

"I was born in Detroit and then I went to the Navy, and then I went to Michigan State. I was there when Greg Kelser and Magic Johnson were there, 1979. And then actually we were Bears fans," Niemer explained. "[My wife is] from Illinois. That's when the Bears were rocking, you know, with Jim McMahon and 'The Fridge' [William Perry], so we were big-time Bears fans. And then her sister moved to Minnesota, and we came up here, and we're like, 'Oh, we really like it up here.' And so we've been die-hard Vikings fans. And now we [live in] Wisconsin, but I'm not going to be a Packers fan. Can't do it."

Niemer caught his breath as this reporter kindly laughed.

"This is the icing on the cake – today," he said after recapping some of the tales that landed him here.

Niemer served in the Navy from 1974-78. Stationed on an aircraft carrier, he learned of two available positions – one in the fire room, where he'd build up the steam to catapult the jets and another in the engineering log room. The thing is, Niemer didn't know how to type. So, to his relief, the Navy sent him to typing school. Years later, he studied communications and roomed with someone who loved to cook.

That's why Niemer, a man with many skills and a boisterous personality, is still serving – as a chef now.

"I wanted to get out of my little hometown and see the world, and that's what I did," he said.

An unlucky car accident fractured his fibula and landed Niemer at the VA. Six weeks into rehab, he said he's nearly close to putting weight on his leg again, and he nearly did at the sight of five Vikings players.

Tight end T.J. Hockenson, tackle Walter Rouse, running back Zavier Scott and outside linebackers Gabriel Murphy and Bo Richter attended an event on behalf of the Vikings, in partnership with Polaris, to honor veterans and their families during the month-long NFL Salute to Service initiative.

It was an inspiring day, and sacrifices of service members resonated with each player in a unique way.

Both of Hockenson's grandfathers were military men; Rouse's grandfather was in the Air Force; Scott's dad served 23 years, with a couple tours in Iraq; several of Murphy's family members served, including his father in Operation Desert Storm; and Richter graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy two years ago.

"We're all super happy to be here and serve you today, like you guys have served us for so long," Richter said, addressing a room of veterans and their loved ones before a few of them bantered from their seats.

One man in a wheelchair shouted, "McCarthy is the truth!"

Another quipped, "You guys don't look as big without your pads on."

And Hinda Cobb, a Vietnam War veteran, followed in a playful tone with, "But you're all so cute."

That string of comments captured the genial and lighthearted mood of an awfully rare setting, one where the feats of athletes at the height of their profession are secondary to lives predicated on service.

"You can't thank these people enough. These people are heroes just to answer the call and come and serve in any capacity. It's amazing, and it's really a great sacrifice. And it means a lot to me," Richter shared. "I've been through parts of it – and they've obviously done a lot more than I have – but when they say they're happy for me to be here, I'm just happy to see their faces. They've done so much for us."

The players also do a great deal for the vets, supplying them with ample entertainment and hope.

"I think they do a lot for the community," Niemer said, noting some show up at Taste of the NFL, a purpose-driven culinary experience that takes place annually on Super Bowl weekend. "They've all got busy lives and whatnot, but I think a lot of them really like the community and like where they [live]."

Cobb, a California native who traded the ocean for 10,000 lakes to be closer to her daughter, said her Vikings fandom dates back 27 years. When she relocated, she obtained a job at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, started watching football with friends, and soon fell head over heels for the fabled Purple.

Two years ago, Cobb's only child passed away, but Minnesota is her home and the Vikings her team.

During four years of service, Cobb was a member of the 15^th Air Force, which was decommissioned for some time but reactivated in 2020, and primarily went on reconnaissance assignments that were instrumental in mapping out bombing sites and put Cobb and others in her squadron in scary situations.

"It was very, very classified," she said, recalling extensive briefings and debriefings around missions.

Cobb left the military when she became pregnant but loved her experiences and "would have stayed longer," she said, if the circumstances were right. Motherhood brought many amazing memories, though, including cheering for the Vikings – except in 2013, when a playoff loss to the Packers upset her.

As for her favorite moment, or rather her favorite attribute of the 64-year-old franchise …

"I'll tell you, it's when they win at the very last minute, the very last seconds, even, and they get a touchdown or a field goal," Cobb said. "It thrills me to death, and I never give up on them until the 2-minute warning is down to zero. I'll never give up. I trust them and I know how motivated they are and how much they love the game. What I love the most about the Vikings is their love for themselves, each other, why they're playing. And they don't ever give up, even though they might be in a bad position."

That echoed, in an almost uncanny fashion, Neimer's reasoning for loving the organization.

"They always persevere," he said softly. "And football's interesting. It's not over till it's over."

Vikings & Polaris host Salute to Service baby shower

The Vikings and Polaris continued their Salute to Service partnership by hosting a baby shower for 10 expectant mothers who have served or are currently serving the U.S. military.

The special event was specifically held by the Vikings Home Team, made up of the spouses and partners of Vikings players and coaches.

Cynthia O'Hara, wife of Senior Offensive Assistant Chris O'Hara, attended last year's baby shower and couldn't wait to be involved again this time around.

"They've made such a big sacrifice," O'Hara said, "It's just very special, and their stories are so special. It really touched me to be a part of the day."

O'Hara was joined by fellow Home Team members Leah O'Connell, Kara Sorrentino, Amelia Reichard, Ashley Wright, Alta Greenard and Stephanie Ham. The Vikings Legends community also was represented by partners and spouses Susan Marshall, Melissa Harris, Jamie Diller (Ben Williams), TJ Pierret (Rickey Young), Linda Voigt and Stacy Lewis.

"Some of them are going to be first-time moms, and you can connect with them on, they're nervous and excited all at the same time, and it's those feelings I've experienced as a mom," said O'Hara, who has a young son and daughter. "We might come from such different backgrounds, but we're experiencing a lot of the same things and can relate to each other."

Guests were able to visit two craft stations to design a floral bouquet and create a custom baby onesie. Polaris and the Vikings Home Team presented each expectant mother with a large gift basket that included infant care essentials, baby clothing and accessories, a Polaris blanket and diaper bag and a Build-a-Bear stuffie, among other items.