Staff Sergeant Doug Clark
US Army and Army National Guard
NFL Week 1 - Sept. 11, 2016 - Saints vs Raiders
Nominated by: Wounded War Heroes
For Week 1 vs. the Oakland Raiders, Staff Sergeant Doug Clark (ret.) of Mandeville, LA, was selected on behalf of the Wounded War Heroes. SSG Clark is a Purple Heart recipient who served 20 years in the Army and Army National Guard. Overseas, his tours included Desert Storm, Desert Freedom and two tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Locally, he took part in the military response during Hurricanes Gustav, Ike and Isaac. Doug was able to share his experience with Tab Henderson (right), whom he served in Desert Storm with and Tab’s son-in-law, Brandon (left) who enjoyed his first Saints game.
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The Kelly Gibson Foundation would like to thank Doug and Tab for their service to our country, especially on September 11th, an important and tragic day in our nation’s history. To all of the men and women whom have risked their lives for others’ freedom and safety, we would like to thank you as well.
Officer John Passaro
New Orleans Police Department
NFL Week 3 - Sept. 26, 2016 - Saints vs Falcons
Nominated by: New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation
For Week 3 vs. the Atlanta Falcons, the Kelly Gibson Foundation selected John Passaro of Slidell, LA. Officer Passaro was nominated on behalf of the New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation and served with the New Orleans Police Department for three years. On February 23, 2013, Officer Passaro responded to a robbery in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans and was wounded in the line of duty.
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The Kelly Gibson Foundation is proud to honor Officer Passaro for his bravery and sacrifice during his service with the NOPD along with all the men and women in uniform for their efforts to keep our communities safe.
Alfred Washington
For Week 8 vs. the Seattle Seahawks, the Kelly Gibson Foundation selected Alfred Washington of New Orleans, LA. Alfred is a Vietnam Veteran who was nominated on behalf of the Disabled American Veterans. In 1965, he entered the US Army and served until 1973. Stationed at Ft. Bragg as an airborne paratrooper, he joined the 504th Infantry Airborne unit that was deployed to Vietnam. During a mission, his helicopter was shot down and he heroically rescued two other Army soldiers from the wreckage.
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Alfred's awards include a Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Airborne Wings and the Army Accommodation Medal. Since his service, he enjoys helping fellow veterans with whatever their needs may be.
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The Kelly Gibson Foundation thanks Alfred and all Vietnam Veterans for their service to our country.
Captain Joe Fincher
New Orleans Fire Department
NFL Week 10 - Nov. 13, 2016 - Saints vs Broncos
Nominated by: New Orleans Fire Fighter Association
For Week 10 vs. the Denver Broncos, the Kelly Gibson Foundation selected Joe Fincher of New Orleans, LA. Mr. Fincher is a retired Captain of the New Orleans Fire Department who was nominated on behalf of the New Orleans Fire Fighters Association. His crew at Engine Co. 18 on Harrison Avenue in Lakeview was awarded the Medal of Valor for the rescue of a man trapped in a submerged auto in City Park lagoon. They also were awarded one of the top honors in the annual Firehouse Magazine Heroism Awards.
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Joe was one of many first responders who helped the city of New Orleans through Hurricane Katrina. After calling in the breach of the 17th Street canal levee, he and his company were instrumental in rescuing and evacuating hundreds of people from the Lindy Boggs Hospital.
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The Kelly Gibson Foundation thanks Joe, his company and all New Orleans firefighters for their service to our communities.
Detective Gerald Young
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office
NFL Week 12 - Nov. 27, 2016 - Saints vs Rams
For Week 12 vs. the Los Angeles Rams, the Kelly Gibson Foundation selected Gerald Young of Madisonville, LA. Detective Young has been in law enforcement for 27 years and currently works at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. He started his career in 1989 at the St. Bernard Sheriff's Office in the Patrol Division. After 7 years in St. Bernard, he joined the Gulfport Police Department in the Patrol Division and eventually the Proactive Unit/SWAT team. Upon the birth of his daughter in 2001, Gerald and his family moved back to St. Bernard Parish. He joined the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Patrol Division and later the 2nd District Follow Up Unit. Currently, he works in the Personal Violence Section of the Detective Bureau.
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After 27 years of service, Detective Young continues to enjoy going to work and protecting the people of Jefferson Parish every day.
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The Kelly Gibson Foundation is proud to honor Gerald and all men and women in law enforcement who serve and protect our communities.
Sergeant Ryan Louviere
US Army and Federal Police Officer
NFL Week 13 - Dec. 4, 2016 - Saints vs Lions
Nominated by: Wounded War Heroes
For Week 13 vs. the Detroit Lions, the Kelly Gibson Foundation selected Ryan Louviere of Cut Off, LA. Nominated by the Wounded War Heroes, Sergeant Louviere served 8 years in the Army with the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. As an Infantry Squad Leader he went on multiple combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. In November of 2010, Sergeant Louviere was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. He was medically discharged from the Army in 2012.
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Ryan currently resides in New Orleans and works as a Federal Police Officer with the Department of Veterans Affairs. He has a passion to help and work with our nation's veterans and continues to give back and serve our country.
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The Kelly Gibson Foundation thanks Ryan and all men and women in uniform for their service to our country.
For Week 16 vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Kelly Gibson Foundation selected Andres Gonzalez of New Orleans, LA. Nominated by the New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation, Officer Gonzalez served 20 months with the New Orleans Police Department. In May of 2006, Officer Gonzalez was left paralyzed after being shot during a traffic stop.
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After retiring from the NOPD, Andres established Help 4 Heroes, Inc. in 2011, an ongoing fundraising effort to assist fallen and wounded police officers and their families in the Greater New Orleans area.
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The Kelly Gibson Foundation is proud to recognize Andres for his valor and sacrifice during his service with the NOPD along with all the men and women in uniform for their efforts to keep our communities safe.