Craig Sparrow
US Army / Louisiana Department of Corrections
NFL Week 1 - Sept. 10, 2023 - Saints vs Titans
Nominated by: Barbara Stevens
Our first honoree of the 2023-2024 season is a Purple Heart recipient who helped to facilitate the first ever free election in Iraq. Following retirement, SSG Sparrow joined the Louisiana Department of Corrections, where he earned the rank of Sgt with the Tact Team on the Special Operations Unit and earned the distinction of being a member of the Honor Guard. Following his time with the LADOC, Sparrow returned to the Middle East as a Private Security Contractor, before ultimately returning home to join the local Law Enforcement until his retirement. His nominator says that he "loves coaching his sons in baseball in Mandeville, and he uses the time he has to help incarcerated veterans know about their benefits and get them in touch with the right people. He always puts others first and serving his community and country is in his blood." We recognize Craig Sparrow for his 11 years of service in the US Army, Louisiana Department of Corrections, and local Law Enforcement.Thank you for all you have done for our country and community!
Rick Saephan
Mandeville Police Department
NFL Week 4 - Oct. 1, 2023 - Saints vs Buccaneers
Nominated by: Melanie Lindley
Our second honoree of the 2023-2024 season is a five year member of the Mandeville Police Department who received the distinction of being named Officer of the Year in 2022 for his service to our community. Officer Saephan says that his favorite memories of his time in the Mandeville Police Department come from the relationships that he’s made between himself and his coworkers, especially knowing that he can trust them to always have his back. Officer Saephan also loves spending time with his family, traveling, and spending time outdoors fishing. He says the best part of his job is getting to see children light up when he gets to attend their birthday parties. His nominator says that he “always puts his family and the citizens of his town first. He has never met a stranger, and he is an amazing father and husband.” We recognize Rick Saephan for his 5 years of service in the Mandeville Police Department.Thank you for your selfless devotion to our community!
Kenny Albarado
US Army
NFL Week 7 - Oct. 19, 2023 - Saints vs Jaguars
Nominated by: Letha Albardao
Our third honoree of the 2023-2024 season is a veteran of the US Army who served both at home and abroad as a member of the 27th Combat Engineer Battalion, ABN. His time in the 27th brought him around the world, with tours in Honduras to build an airstrip, as well as a tour to South Korea. Following his tour in South Korea, Specialist Albarado was assigned to the 37th Combat Engineer Battalion, ABN where he served in Southwest Asia for both Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. Following his time in the Army, Specialist Albarado was diagnosed with Cerebellum Ataxia, making his daily life a challenge. Despite this, his nominator says that “he lives his best life every day and is a great father and husband.” His nominator also says that Specialist Albarado is “the most honorable man I know.” We recognize Kenny Albarado for his 4 and a half years of service in the United States Army. Thank you for all you have done in support of our country!
Kyle Hutchison
Terrytown Fire Department
NFL Week 10 - Nov. 5, 2023 - Saints vs Bears
Nominated by: Brian May
Our fourth honoree of the 2023-2024 season is a five year member of the Terrytown Fire Department. His dedication to his community has led his nominator to say that he “works hard daily and rarely gets a break.” While serving his community, Operator Hutchison finds that educating the public on Fire safety through school tours and Station is his favorite part of his service. When he isn’t serving his community, Operator Hutchison enjoys spending time with his family, being outdoors, and travelling. Due to his persistent dedication to his community, his nominator says that he is very excited that Operator Hutchison is being honored this week, as it will “force him to take a break for once.” We recognize Operator Hutchison for his five years of service in the Terrytown Fire Department. Thank you for your dedication to keeping our community safe!
Terence Byrne
US Navy SEALs
NFL Week 13 - Dec. 3, 2023 - Saints vs Lions
Nominated by: Kayla Byrne
Our fifth honoree of the 2023-2024 season is an eleven year veteran of the US Navy, where he served as a medic, explosive breacher, and UAV pilot for SEAL teams on both the West and East Coast with multiple deployments to the Middle East. While in combat, Officer Byrne was awarded a Purple Heart after suffering a traumatic brain injury. After overcoming the difficulties associated with his injury, Officer Byrne held the position of the lead training Petty Officer and instructor for the SEAL medical schoolhouse SOTM in Stennis, MS and in 2020 he was commissioned as an Officer with the Navy’s Health Professions Scholarship Program (HSPS), which gave him the opportunity to pursue a medical degree from Tulane University. Upon completion of medical school, Officer Byrne will return to the Navy as a Naval Medical Doctor and pursue residency. His nominator says that he has a “lifelong commitment to serving American citizens” and “is not only an incredible veteran, but he is a devoted husband and father.” We recognize Officer Byrne for his eleven years of service in the US Navy, and for his dedication to continually serving his country and community as a Medical Physician. Thank you for all you have done in service of our community both at home and abroad!
Christina Macias
Traveling Nurse
NFL Week 14 - Dec. 10, 2023 - Saints vs Panthers
Nominated by: Aaron Rosales
Our sixth honoree of the 2023-2024 season is a registered nurse with over seven years of service in the healthcare field as a nurse. Mrs. Macias found her passion for nursing in 2016 after seeing the profound impact that a nurse had on her life following the birth of her newborn daughter. Seeing the care that her daughter received sparked her passion for nursing and helping others. Following the COVID-19 Pandemic, Mrs. Macias made the decision to expand her horizons and become a travelling nurse. After seeing the urgent need for skilled healthcare support throughout the country, she knew that she could help not only in her community, but in communities all around the United States. Some of her most rewarding moments as a nurse have come from aiding post-9/11 veterans as an aesthetic nurse, helping them rebuild their self-esteem and providing them with support. Her nominator says that she “consistently goes above and beyond to provide quality care and comfort to her patients, often working long hours and adapting to new environments.” We recognize Mrs. Macias for her seven years in the healthcare field as a registered nurse both in her community and in communities throughout the country. Thank you for all you do to ensure quality care to those in need!
Gregory Bogaczyk
US Marine Corps
NFL Week 15 - Dec. 17, 2023 - Saints vs Giants
Nominated by: Jenna Bogaczyk
Our seventh honoree of the 2023-2024 season is currently in his seventeenth year as an active duty service member. Since enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 2006, GySgt Bogaczyk has held seven duty station assignments, with his current being the CBRN Chief with the 4th Marine Division in New Orleans, LA. Throughout his seventeen years of service, GySgt Bogaczyk has served our country both at home and abroad, having deployed to Iraq, and also serving as both a drill instructor and a senior drill instructor at Paris Island, South Carolina. In 2018 GySgt Bogaczyk was honored with the distinction of being named the Marine Corps GEICO Military Service Award recipient in recognition of his achievements in both on-duty leadership, and off-duty community involvement. In 2021, he assisted with Operation Allies Welcome, helping to bring Americans and vulnerable allies back to the United States and support their resettlement. GySgt Bogaczyk says that he serves “at the honor and pleasure of serving a great nation and the greater people who call it home.” His nominator says that he “is probably the hardest working person I’ve ever met, and an amazing role model to our boys. Each new place we go, he makes a difference in whatever mission or task he is given.” We recognize GySgt Bogaczyk for his seventeen years of service in the US Marine Corps. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do in service of our country and community!
Bruce Wright
Louisiana Air National Guard
NFL Week 18 - Jan. 7, 2023 - Saints vs Falcons
Nominated by: Stephanie Wright
Our eighth honoree of the 2023-2024 season is a twenty-four year veteran of the Louisiana Air National Guard. While in service, Master Sergeant Wright served as a leader in the security forces and found great enjoyment in lending a helping hand wherever he had the opportunity, deploying to numerous different countries during Operation Desert Storm. As a New Orleans, LA native, MSgt Wright says the most impactful role he has had in the armed forces was helping his hometown recover from the devastation following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Throughout his time in the Air National Guard, MSgt Wright has been honored with numerous awards, including the Air National Guard Hometown Heroes Salute. Following his retirement from the Louisiana Air National Guard, MSgt Wright has continued to be a leader in his community. He currently works with the Veterans Administration Department, helping other veterans any chance he gets. His nominator says that he “receives calls from members of his military family every day and he is always there for them out of selflessness. To his family and everyone he meets, he is a true hero.” We recognize MSgt Wright for his twenty-four years of service to both our country and community in the Louisiana Air National Guard, and his continued support of his fellow veterans throughout our community. Thank you for all you have done in service of our country and community, and all you continue to do in service of your fellow veterans!