NFL Icon And Vietnam War Veteran Rocky Bleier To Speak At Farm Bureau’s 12th Annual Salute to Idaho Veterans Event
Rocky Bleier, a combat-wounded Vietnam veteran and four-time Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers, will speak at the 12th annual Farm Bureau Salute to Idaho Veterans event on Friday, November 1.
Bleier’s journey embodies courage both on the football field and in Vietnam. Drafted by the Steelers as a late-round pick, Bleier’s career seemed over when he was drafted again by the U.S. Army. At the height of the Vietnam War, Bleier was thrust into combat early and was seriously wounded when his platoon ran into an ambush. Receiving wounds from both rifle fire and grenade fragments in his legs, he was barely able to walk and was told he would never play football again. For more than two years, Bleier worked tirelessly to recover. Little by little he overcame obstacles and fought his way back. Remarkably, he not only returned to the Steelers, but also became a starting running back, contributing to the team winning four Super Bowls and solidifying their legacy as one of the most successful teams of the 20th century.
Veterans and current Armed Services personnel and their families are invited to attend this free event. Besides Bleier’s presentation, the Salute to Idaho Veterans features a meet and greet, a traditional flag ceremony, recognition of veterans with the Idaho Falls Brass Quintet playing military branch hymns, a luncheon, veteran slideshow, free photo portraits for veterans and Armed Services personnel, and a complimentary commemorative coin.
The Salute to Idaho Veterans – now in its 12th year – is a prelude to the longstanding traditions that local Veterans Service Organizations carry out each year on November 11. “At Farm Bureau Insurance Company of Idaho, we are deeply honored to continue our tradition of supporting those who have selflessly served our country,” said Todd Argall, the company’s President and CEO. “The 12th Annual Salute to Idaho Veterans is our way of expressing gratitude to these men and women, and we are committed to making this event a memorable celebration of their dedication and sacrifice.”
The “Salute” will be held at Farm Bureau’s 275 Tierra Vista Drive location in Pocatello. The event gets underway at 10:30 AM with an informal meet and greet and concludes at 1:00 PM with photo portraits of attending servicemen and women by professional photographer Deloy Stuart.
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