FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- It's no secret that Falcons coach Dan Quinn is committed to supporting U.S. military members and their families.
"The Falcons are what I do, it's not who I am," Quinn said Thursday following the team's final minicamp practice session. "When you see guys, who have made sacrifices or are in pain, I want to let them know our gratitude."
Quinn, who was named the Salute to Service Award recipient by the NFL and USAA back in February, says that "it's important to give back" to the military "and "let them know we appreciate all the sacrifices they make."
Quinn isn't the only one within the Falcons organization who believes that. And he will be among a contingent of team executives, coaches, players and staff members led by Falcons Owner and Chairman Arthur Blank who will be in the Washington, D.C., region Friday.
The group -- which also includes Steve Cannon, CEO, AMB Group; President and CEO Rich McKay, General Manager Thomas Dimitroff and Assistant General Manager Scott Pioli, Ricardo Allen, Daniel Brunskill, Ben Garland, D.J. Tialavea, Chip Coffey, Brian Hickman -- plans to visit Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Quinn made it clear that this trip is not for the Falcons and is simply about giving thanks to the military personnel and their families, and spending time with them.
"I'll probably wear a Falcons shirt, but we feel like we're representing the National Football League, too," Quinn said. "For us to spend a day there is something that we feel like for people that do team better than anybody, that inspires us as coaches."
The Falcons contingent will visit with a number of different patients in rehabilitation, and plan to give away Falcons paraphernalia, including white panel footballs, T-shirts and hats. They'll also meet with 10 Wounded Warriors in a private area before leaving for Virginia.
Once in Arlington, the Falcons group will visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Blank, Cannon and Quinn are expected to lay a wreath (on a stand) at the tomb together.
