A Day of Honor: USO and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Celebrate Service Members at Salute to Service Game

The crowd erupted with cheers as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took the field Sunday, but the focus of the day extended far beyond football. The NFL’s Salute to Service game, in partnership with the USO, honored service members and their families, celebrating their sacrifices and unwavering commitment to the nation.

For Commander Benjamin Bearman, a Surface Warfare Officer with 20 years of service in the Navy, the day was particularly meaningful.

“It’s been amazing. A great crowd, beautiful day, and the hospitality has been phenomenal,” Bearman said. “When I see those three famous letters — USO — I think of every time I’ve gone downrange and had some comfort show up. It was the USO.”

Bearman reflected on the USO’s presence throughout his career, from ships in Bahrain to a visit to New York City as a midshipman. “The USO is always there when service members need a little bit of rest,” he said, adding with a grin that he’s a lifelong Detroit Lions fan but was pulling for the Buccaneers. “I want the Bucs to win today because I want San Fran to take a hit on their record.”

The event was equally impactful for military families. Army Staff Sgt. Kristeena O’Neill, a military veteran, described the experience as emotional and humbling.

“It’s been mind-blowing to experience this — not just for me, but for my family and children,” O’Neill said. “I got choked up watching the special ceremonies happening throughout the game. It reminded me how much I miss being in the military.”

O’Neill said the experience was made even more special by sharing a suite with a general. “That was the icing on the cake,” she said. “It’s so patriotic — just a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”

For military families like O’Neill’s, the USO has long been a source of support. Barry Bearman, a military spouse, praised the USO’s continued dedication to service members.

“Throughout my military career, whether at the airport, in the city, or on base, we could always count on the USO to take care of us,” Bearman said. “That’s what family does.”

The General H. Norman Schwarzkopf Military Family of the Year Awards were presented during the game, honoring families from each branch of the military — Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy and Space Force. These families exemplify the values of integrity, courage, commitment and service before self, while sharing in the sacrifices of military life.

The event’s success was due in part to the leadership of Brian Ford, the Buccaneers’ chief operations officer, and Zak Zumbiel, the team’s community impact manager. Both worked closely with the USO to ensure the game was a memorable tribute to the military community.

The Salute to Service initiative, an annual NFL program, is more than a moment of recognition. It is a commitment to honoring and supporting those who serve, demonstrating the league’s gratitude for their sacrifices.

As the sun set over Raymond James Stadium, the day’s events left a lasting impression on the service members and families in attendance — a celebration of unity, sacrifice and shared gratitude.