The Vikings and Hy-Vee last week leaned into the NFL's annual Salute to Service initiative, an ongoing commitment to honor, empower and connect with U.S. service members, veterans and their families.

Vikings Legends and current players visited military veterans at two VA hospital locations on Tuesday, and members of the Vikings Home Team helped host a baby shower for military mothers Thursday.

Vikings visit veterans in Minneapolis & St. Cloud | by Rob Kleifield

MINNEAPOLIS — An older gentleman broke into childlike exuberance as he pointed across the room at a man with wispy white hair wearing an equally white Vikings quarter-zip pullover.

"I think that's Stu Voigt," he told a friend next to him, grinning widely.

Voigt, the Vikings Legend and former tight end (1970-80), was in his element last Tuesday during a visit with retired and current players to the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. As soon as Voigt introduced himself to a throng of veterans, their voices piqued with interest.

Many of the men and women reacted identically: "Ohhh, yeahhh!" they exclaimed.

It was like a wave of nostalgia hit them all at once.

"I'm fortunate enough to have gone to a bunch of Super Bowls — outcomes we won't talk about," Voigt quipped to a group of vets huddled in the Community Living Center.

Voigt's father and brother served in the Navy, so it was significant for him to connect with the veterans, including 75-year-old Steve Johnson, who was active in the Navy from 1969-73. Johnson grew up on the east side of St. Paul and became a loyal Vikings fan in '67 or '68, he said, when Bud Grant was settling in as Minnesota's iconic head coach.

Johnson and Voigt reminisced on the old advantages of playing games in freezing cold weather at Metropolitan Stadium — a brutal environment that was tied to Grant's identity.

"It's pretty cool; these are the guys I remember," Johnson said afterward, also fondly recognizing Vikings Legends Leo Lewis, Dave Dixon and John Swain. "It's fun meeting them."

Outside linebacker Bo Richter and running back Aaron Jones, Sr., (the team's Salute to Service Award nominee) participated in the VA visit, too. In addition to holding court in the Community Living Center, the guests stopped by the Spinal Cord Injury and Disorder Center to hang out and pass out military-themed Vikings flags and $50 Hy-Vee gift cards.

One man and woman, Jerome and Boni (short for Bonita), quietly soaked in the commotion around them. It turned out, they were maybe the biggest Vikings fans in the room. Boni pulled up her pant sleeve to proudly show off her Justin Jefferson socks; she also whipped out a picture of her dog, Samuel, who was sporting purple colors plus Vikings accessories.

Jerome was in the Army in 1968-69 and served one year in Vietnam and the other in Colorado Springs as a personnel manager. He nodded with a smile as Boni noted them meeting hometown hero Adam Thielen, previously, and she recalled him as "wonderful."

In talking with Voigt and others, Johnson paralleled football and his living situation now.

"It's like being here in the hospital. The brotherhood is unbelievable," Johnson said. "My grandson was here a couple of weeks ago. One of the nurses came in and saw the hat I had on and they were like, 'I'm Air Force.' I said, 'I'm sorry to hear that!' But we are always talking back and forth — a couple of us — and have dinner together. It really is a brotherhood."

In addition to the Minneapolis visit, Vikings Legends Scott Studwell and Ben Williams visited veterans at the St. Cloud VA Healthcare System.

Vikings & Hy-Vee host baby shower for military mothers | by Lindsey Young

St. Paul, Minn. — Nine women were honored Thursday by the Vikings and Hy-Vee, who teamed up to host a special baby shower at The University Club of St. Paul for military mothers.

Wives and significant others of Vikings Legends and current players helped welcome and celebrate seven of the mothers who were able to attend the event in-person.

Guests enjoyed a variety of activities, including a flower-making station and custom onesie bar, where they could select patches or work with an onsite embroiderer to personalize an outfit for soon-to-arrive little ones. Shower also featured classic baby shower games and a tea-party-inspired spread complete with mocktail selections.

Amanda Mundell is expecting a baby girl with husband Jake, who has served 12 years in the Air National Guard and now works in emergency deployment. The couple that has navigated two deployments expressed deep gratitude for the special shower.

Amanda especially appreciated sharing a table with Maddie Wentz, Bella Dewar (Caleb Tiernan) and Sue Marshall, wife of the late Vikings Legend Jim Marshall.

"Each one was so kind and willing to share their own life stories, as well. It really put into perspective what they [experience] being married to athletes," Amanda said. "It's crazy how similar our lives actually are — the constant possibility of having to move across the country at any given moment, raising families and not having other family around to help at any given time, and learning to adjust to a new town with new people.

"Our family has been blessed to be able to stay in the Midwest area, and each time I've been able to continue my career in law enforcement," continued Amanda, who is currently serving as a school resource officer for the Superior Police Department. "But just like each athlete wife, that can change. It was truly a blessing being able to talk and get to know each everyone.

"I cannot say it enough, but thank you," she added. "It was truly a blessing and wonderful time."

Amanda and the other expectant mothers received large gift baskets from the Vikings and Hy-Vee that included a teddy bear, infant clothing and accessories, Hy-Vee gift cards and more. They also were surprised with two tickets to Monday's Vikings game against the Bills.

"Military families make sacrifices in many different ways, whether through serving themselves or supporting a loved one who serves," Vikings Community Relations Manager Samantha Ziwicki said. "We want these mothers to feel celebrated, appreciated and supported as they prepare to welcome a new addition to their families. It's a small way for our Vikings community to recognize the strength of these women and remind them that we're cheering them on during this special time in their lives."

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