Sports

PGA Tour: Fans Pay Tribute to U.S. Armed Forces at Congressional

The "We Salute Our Heroes Tribute Wall" allows fans and pros alike to sign messages for the men and women who serve in the U.S. military.

Scores of golf fans lined up between the 18th tee box and green at Congressional Country Club, but not necessarily to catch a glimpse of an approach from the fairway.

Located along the final hole at the AT&T National, the "We Salute Our Heroes Tribute Wall" gives fans the chance to write a personal message of thanks and support for the men and women who serve in the military.

Messages like "Thank you for your bravery and service," "Give 'em hell and stay safe," and "Lots of prayers and love to you all" lined the board on Friday afternoon during the second round of the 2013 tournament in Bethesda. 

The board debuted at the 2011 AT&T National in Philadelphia, and became a part of the Congressional event for the first time last year. Thanks to an overwhelming response, the tournament was able to fill four large canvasses with personal messages of thanks from the fans, caddies, volunteers and PGA Tour players, including Tiger Woods, K.J. Choi, Ricky Fowler and Nick Watney.

The 2013 AT&T National champion will sign the wall after the tournament.
The tournament encourages active or retired military to sign the board with a green sharpie. PGA Tour pros sign in red and general spectators in black. As of 1:15 p.m. Friday—midway through the tournament's second round—two boards had been completed, and a third was on display for spectators to sign, Tiger Woods Foundation spokesperson Rachel Rees said.

Sections of the wall were framed and delivered to local military outlets in the Washington, DC, area after the 2012 tournament. Rees said the boards would again be distributed to local military organizations in 2013.


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