As a part of the annual NFL Salute to Service game, the Vikings and Polaris joined forces on a series of special events and activities all designed to recognized local veterans and their families.

"Polaris has a long history of supporting our military, veterans and their families as well as our local communities," said Holly Spaeth, Vice President of Off Road and Polaris Brand Marketing. "This year marks nearly a decade of serving as title sponsor of the Salute to Service game and having the honor of partnering with the Vikings to help recognize and say 'thank you' to our local military members and veterans for their service to our country."

MINNEAPOLIS - It was a morning filled with bonding and gratitude.

The Vikings teamed up with Polaris and United Service Organizations (U.S.O.) to host a Salute to Service baby shower celebrating 10 military mothers who are expecting new arrivals in the coming weeks and months.

Several members of the Vikings Home Team (spouses and partners of Vikings coaches, players and Legends) participated in the tea party-themed shower and also shopped for and donated baby gifts for each guest of honor.

Jessica King, an active-duty soldier for the Minnesota Army National Guard, is expecting her third child, a daughter who will join brothers 5 and 15 years old.

"It's been amazing. Everybody's been so friendly, and just being able to share my military history and talk about the little one that's on the way and how excited we are to be expecting, it's been wonderful," King said. "And [the Vikings women] are truly just real people. They're just so normal. They're all friendly and kind, and it's been really fun to meet people from all over the United States."

Vikings Home Team members who celebrated King and the other nine mothers are as follows:

Leah (Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell), Keely (linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill), Amelia (kicker Will Reichard), Katya (quarterback J.J. McCarthy), Emily (offensive lineman Dan Feeney), Taylor Saunders (linebacker Blake Cashman), Ashley (punter Ryan Wright), Maegan (tackle David Quessenberry), Cynthia (senior offensive assistant Chris O'Hara), Zafrin (offensive quality control Derron Montgomery), Susan Landwehr-Marshall (Vikings Legend Jim Marshall), Melissa (Vikings Legend Mike Harris), T.J. Pierret (Vikings Legend Rickey Young) and Stacy (Vikings Legend Leo Lewis).

The women enjoyed conversation over a variety of sweet treats, and competitive energy rose over a trio of baby shower games that included identifying popular children's book titles and knowing the names different baby animals.

"I especially liked the game where we had to match Disney parents with their children, because I only missed one and was bad at the others," Grugier-Hill quipped with a smile.

Having appreciated her time in Minnesota since Kamu signed with the Vikings this spring, Grugier-Hill felt especially drawn to the baby shower as the granddaughter of two U.S. military members (Army and Air Force) and the niece of an Air Force veteran.

"I wasn't born yet when my grandmothers were going through [that military life], but just from the stories I've heard and also seeing firsthand what my aunt experienced, I know how hard it is," she said. "I can't imagine serving and giving your life for your country in that way, or even on the other end – being the wife and supporting them [and sacrificing so much].

"It was really important for me to be here and show that we support them, we're so thankful for them, that we love them and we're so excited for the little babies they're going to bring into the world," Grugier-Hill added.

Leah O'Connell spent much of the event moving from table to table to get to know each of the 10 military mothers.

O'Connell also shared the surprise news that each expectant mother and a guest would receive tickets to the Vikings upcoming Salute to Service game against Arizona on Dec. 1.

"It was a beautiful event. So fun to get to honor these women," O'Connell said. "It is such a huge sacrifice, what their families are a part of in the military, and just really special to honor them and celebrate this amazing point in time for them as they prepare to welcome a new baby into their family.

"It's really special having both groups together. Our Home Team is the women who stand by our players and coaches, and in the football industry we do a lot of moving around and uprooting our families, so that's really important for us to have here, to have a strong support system for women," O'Connell added. "The military [life] is similar in the sense of [moving your family around]. The [unique] commonality of both these roles coming together and seeing how they align quite a bit, it was wonderful to talk about and meet some of the ladies."

Melissa Harris and her husband Mike, who played for the Vikings from 2014-15, each have a deep appreciation for the military thanks to multiple family ties. Melissa's grandfather Gerald Dettinger received a Bronze Star; her other grandfather, Jack Brask, along with a step-grandfather and two uncles, also served.

Mike Harris's grandfather Jack McGowan served in World War II, and his uncle George served in the Korean War. His father Mike served more than 25 years in the U.S. Army as a Sergeant 1^st Class, including a deployment to Germany from 1983-88 for assignment at the Berlin Wall.

"I was so honored to be a part of Salute to Service's baby shower to show support for the incredible families who serve our country and protect our freedoms," Melissa Harris said. "Taking an afternoon to honor these incredible women was an absolute joy, and I was excited to celebrate their growing families and let them know they are seen, appreciated and valued. We know the sacrifices they make daily, oftentimes away from their partner."

King acknowledged the difficulties Harris mentioned but also shined with pride in talking about her 17 years – and counting – in the National Guard.

"I love serving in the military. Your military comrades are truly like your family," King said. "It's such a close connection with everybody, and you just want to be together and embrace [the challenges] together."

Harris was grateful to connect with King and several other mothers and hear their stories – from hearing how one woman juggles time differences with a spouse serving in Kuwait, to another couple's plans for a "FaceTime delivery" when baby arrives.

"And you can't forget the women who are actively serving while pregnant – doing all kinds of vital jobs like HR, truck driving, the National Guard, or really taking on any role they're called to," Harris said. "I was blown away by their ability to navigate pregnancy with such grace through all of it.

"I would like to think the NFL and military families have a lot in common – even though their work is significantly more of a sacrifice – but I think we can understand each other in many ways, and it was nice to bond over those parallels," Harris continued. "We are blessed to live in this country, and I was honored to meet some of the brave women who serve; I was touched by their bravery, gratitude and resilience."

Veterans honored in Minneapolis & St. Cloud

On Nov. 5, Vikings teammates Andre Carter II and Bo Richter, Legends Scott Studwell, Ben Williams and Esera Tuaolo, and Vikings staff members traveled to the St. Cloud Veterans Affairs Hospital to visit with patients and their families, who all were gifted Vikings drawstring backpacks and T-shirts.

The Vikings and Polaris also hosted a youth football clinic at the Camp Ripley Minnesota National Guard Post. More than 100 young people from military families participated in the camp that was led by Vikings Youth Football part-time coaches.

The following evening, the Vikings and Polaris teamed up with Every Third Saturday to host a special military reception. Every Third Saturday (ETS) exists to assist veterans in finding new purpose after their military service. The nonprofit's mission focuses on fostering hope and supporting post-traumatic healing for veterans.

Approximately 50 veterans were welcomed to the Minnesota Vikings Museum for a private tour and reception, where they enjoyed complimentary appetizers and beverages while meeting and mingling with Vikings Legends John Swain, Mike Morris and Jasper Brinkley.