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Merrimack Valley

Patriots' Izzo salutes the troops at Polartec

By Crystal Bozek
Staff Writer
Published: June 14, 2008

LAWRENCE — Air Force Airman Christopher Ellis of Methuen was one of several servicemen who received a personal thank you with a signed photograph from New England Patriots Special Teams Captain Larry Izzo yesterday.

The three-time Super Bowl champion teamed with local legislators to pay homage to the troops, veterans and employees at the Polartec plant – a fitting way to celebrate today's Flag Day.

"It's great to see so much support," said Ellis, who is stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. "My stepfather works here. ... We appreciate what they do here."

Polartec manufactures fabrics that have gone into more than 25 million garments for the Department of Defense.

The company held the event as part of a yearlong partnership with the WBCN radio station, holding a contest where military family members could submit stories about their loved ones. Each week, the station chose two stories and transformed them into 30-second features that aired during Patriots game broadcasts.

"I salute all the troops here today," Izzo said to the crowd of more than 700 people. "They give us everything they have. We need to give them everything we can give."

Lawmakers like U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, D-Lowell, and Congressman Paul Hodes, D-N.H., all took the stage to thank the hundreds of Polartec employees for their work and the troops for their sacrifice.

They spoke of how important the textile company is to the region.

"I want to see Polartec grow," Hodes said. "It's very important to our economy in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. ... I've spoken with the troops and when the temperature drops, the fleece comes out."

There was a round of applause for Andy Jimenez, father of missing Lawrence soldier Alex Jimenez.

Izzo holds an annual karaoke event with other members of the Patriots team to benefit charities that help the troops.

Called "Larry Izzo's Salute to the Troops," he started the charity after visiting troops in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2005. Izzo's father, Larry Izzo Sr., retired as a full colonel in 1990 after 23 years in the military.

Chris Thornton of Derry, N.H., was excited to meet Izzo after the hourlong ceremony.

"He's awesome," Thornton said, showing off her flag shirt. "He's so personable and talks to everyone."

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