LANDOVER, Md. - Two Marines were honored during a “Salute to Service Moment” at an NFL game Monday, Aug. 19 at FedEx Field in Landover, Md.
The Marines, Sgt. Andrew Pontious and Cpl. Nicholas Williams, took to the field as the crowd cheered during the first quarter of the Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers game.
Pontious, the Officer-in-Charge of the Marine Corps Base Quantico, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Legal Section, was nominated for holding a billet normally required of an officer, teaching Marine Corps Martial Arts, being a faculty advisor for the Base Corporals Course and he is responsible for a legal section that supports the largest battalion in the Corps.
“It means a lot,” Pontious said. “There are 4,000 Marines at Quantico and I was selected. It’s a great honor.”
Williams, a platoon sergeant with Marine Security Company, Marine Barracks Washington, was nominated for filling a leadership position above his rank and for being a nominee for the White House Military Office Junior Service Member of the Year award.
“I’ve never been this close to an NFL sideline; it’s better than Disneyland,” Williams said. “I’m such a huge fan of the NFL. It’s an honor to be right here this close to the players.”
The Redskins will recognize two deserving service members on-field at each home game this season.
The Marines were the first to be recognized this season and said they were grateful the opportunity.
“It’s an honor to represent the Marine Corps and the Marines who nominated me,” Williams said.