Joey T\'s DHPF of the Month

Name: Andrew & Kelly Lomeli

Currently resides in: Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

Q: What city/state were you born and raised?

A: Andrew-Born in Germany on a military installation and raised in Colton California.

Kelly-Born and raised in Green Bay Wisconsin.

Q: How did you and your wife meet?

A: We met in 2003 while stationed at Osan Air Base in Korea.

Q: How did you and your wife become such serious Packer fans?

A: I would say that with the time we put into following the team from the off season, to the draft, minicamps, OTAs, training camp, then into the season, it builds an unbreakable bond that you feel towards the team and organization. When you establish a bond like that, you know you\’re seriously devoted to the Packers.     

Q: Do you and your wife argue over who is the bigger fan?  

A: No not at all. Kelly would agree that I might slightly be a bigger fan but then she will come back and hit me with, \”well I was born in Green Bay and you weren\’t, how bout that!\”   

Q: We understand that your dogs have Packer names. What are they and what made you come up with those specific names?

A: Our first dog together is a Rat Terrier and his name is Lambeau. In 2005 we got our first boxer and named him Champ since the Champs play at Lambeau. We adopted our female boxer Sadie in 2009 and kept her adopted name. The boys have always had their Packer collars and dog tags and actually won the Packers Pets of the Month back in 2007. Sadie has a pink Packers collar and dog tag. Champ passed away 26 June 2016. We honor him by wearing t-shirts of him under our Packers jerseys on every game day. He is always with us.    

Q: Tells us some of the most Die Hard things you have done to show your pride for the team.

A: Together, we try and incorporate the Packers into whatever we might have going on. Case in point, we got married on October 10, 2003. What’s the significance of that? It\’s Brett Favre\’s birthday. Another example is when I got to choose my new cell phone number I went with a 920 (Green Bay) area code but I also looked at the actual numbers and tried to link them to the Packers somehow. I saw a phone number with the first 3 of 4-1-2. Automatically I thought 4-12, Favre and Rodgers, so I chose that number. Last example would be the obvious for any die-hard fan, I do have a Packers tattoo on my left arm. Next step is to try and convince Kelly to get one.

Q: We have seen pictures of your basement on Instagram and Facebook.  How did the planning of the Drew Cave come about?

A: While we were stationed in San Antonio, we would host Packer parties but didn\’t have the dedicated space. When we moved here to Ohio from San Antonio Texas, we wanted a house that had a basement nice enough for a Fan Cave. When we purchased our house, the basement was unfinished. Kelly and I designed the layout with our contractor and once our plans were final, construction began. We wanted to keep it as open as possible to maximize the 1200 square feet. We were finishing because we knew we would be hosting football Sunday\’s. Our crowds have ranged anywhere from 10-45 people. We love hosting and hope we can continue to host as long as the military doesn\’t move us again.      

Q: How many TVs do you have in the Drew Cave?  

A: Currently there are five. A 125 inch projector screen along with two 47 inch and two 32 inch LED TVs all with their own dedicated DirecTV receiver. We don’t only have Packer fans in The Drew Cave so we like to be able to put their team\’s’ game on one of the TVs. The 125 inch is reserved for Packers only.

Check out more of The Drew Cave on Facebook

Q: Explain how you were picked to be on the field during the national anthem and was what was it like?

A: We were chosen during the Packers contest called Operation Fan Mail. We wrote an essay explaining our military service and dedication to the Packers. Next thing we knew, we were contacted by the Packer marketing team and received on field passes. GBP also gave us a gift card and 4 tickets to the Packers/Raiders game in 2011. Before the National Anthem, the Packers PA announcer actually introduced us onto the field and highlighted some significant moments in our military career to the crowd. The feeling was surreal. Having 75,000 plus people applauding you and chanting USA was a moment we will never forget. We are forever grateful to the Packers for honoring our veterans.

Q. Can you tell us about the Heroes Highway and what it means?

A: Hero’s Hwy was located at Joint Base Balad in Iraq. Kelly and I each served 2 tours in that location. As our wounded warriors were flown into the hospital for treatment, our crews would retrieve them from the helicopter, then transport them into the emergency room for care. As you run off the helicopter pad heading into the hospital, you hit a transition point which was Hero’s Hwy. It was a shelter that had its inner roof lined with a huge American Flag. As our wounded warriors were transported through Hero’s Hwy, they could look up and see the American Flag and know that they were safe and being cared for by their U.S. military brothers and sisters.

Q: What would be your most valuable Packer memorabilia piece?  (non-monetarily)

A: We would have to say our Lambeau Field Club Seat that was used from 2003-2012. To own a piece from such a historic place is invaluable.

Q: How may Packer games do you attend a year?

A: We try to go to at least 1 a year but over the past couple of years we have gotten to about 2-3 a year.

Q: Who is your all time favorite player?

A: Kelly’s all time favorite would have to be Don Beebe since she had a crush on him when she was 12. Mine would be Donald Driver.  

Q: Who is your favorite player now and why?

A: Kelly’s favorite current player is Jordy Nelson. Like Don Beebe she has a huge crush on him. We got to meet him at a charity event in 2013 and he was such a great guy.

My favorite current player would be Mason Crosby. We have had a chance to meet him a couple of times and he is always such a generous guy. I also heard he is a good golfer so I would love to get on the course with him and go a dollar a hole.   

Q: Do you have any game day rituals/superstitions?

A: Always have to wear the same color jersey the Packers are wearing that day. New ritual is to wear shirts with our dog Champ on under our Packers gear so he is always with us.  

Q: Any last words you\’d like to say to the Packer Nation?

A: Packer fans are the best! Kelly and I take pride on being able to be a part of such a well-respected fan base. Always remember the words of the great Bart Starr, “Anyone can support a team that is winning-it takes no courage. But to stand behind a team to defend a team when it is down and really needs you, that takes a lot of courage.”

Go Pack!