Philadelphia Eagles Hometown Hero 2021

January 8

Cowboys vs. Eagles

Following in his mother's footsteps, Senior Master Sergeant Clarence Cooper enlisted in the United States Air Force in September 1982. During his long career, SMSgt Cooper has served as a Medical Technician and now as an Aeromedical Technician, currently serving with the United States Air Force Reserve's 514th Air Mobility Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. Over the years, SMSgt Cooper has been deployed several times, including in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Support Hope, and Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Additionally, he supported Hurricane Hugo relief efforts.

SMSgt Cooper has held numerous positions including the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Aircrew Training, Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation, Operations Flight Chief, and is currently the Superintendent of Operations for the 514th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. He serves his unit as an Air Reserve Technician.

Clarence was diagnosed with a form of bone cancer in January 2020 and, after a hard road of treatment, he is now in remission and back at full service with the Air Force Reserve. SMSgt Clarence Cooper was born and raised in Philadelphia where he and his family are longtime Eagles fans.

December 26

Giants vs. Eagles

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Petty Officer Second Class Bioletta Dallas started her military career shortly after graduating high school. Dallas enlisted in the United States Navy and left for boot camp in the summer of 2016. Later that year, she graduated from boot camp and job training before moving on to her first command, VFA-11, known as the "Red Rippers," in Virginia Beach, Virginia. While there, she worked as an Aviation Maintenance Administrationman, a position that consists of a variety of administrative and managerial duties necessary to keep aircraft maintenance activities running smoothly and efficiently. Petty Officer Dallas was responsible for planning, scheduling, and coordinating the maintenance workload, including inspections and modifications to aircraft and equipment.

In 2018, Petty Officer Dallas went on her first deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, a multicountry operation that provided maritime security and support in the Middle East. While she was stationed in the region, ships and strike groups conducted missions against the Islamic State group as well as reassured U.S. allies and partners, preserved freedom of navigation, and maintained the free flow of commerce. The following year, Petty Officer Dallas began her second deployment, this time in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel, where the mission was to train, advise, and assist Afghan National Defense and Security Forces and to conduct counterterrorism operations against the remnants of Al Qaeda.

Petty Officer Bioletta Dallas is now stationed back in her hometown of Philadelphia, serving at Naval Recruiting Station Cottman where she works to recruit the Navy's next generation of sailors. Bioletta grew up chanting the Eagles fight song and is overly excited to be able to be back watching her team play in the greatest city!

December 19

Washington vs. Eagles

Ensign Maxx Kehoe was born and raised in Marlton, New Jersey, just outside of Philadelphia. In 2015, he graduated from Drexel University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. He lived in South Jersey until enlisting in the United States Coast Guard in 2016, following in the footsteps of generations of family members who served in local law enforcement and the military. 

Ensign Kehoe's Coast Guard career began in 2016 when he attended boot camp in Cape May, New Jersey, followed by Machinery Technician "A" school in Yorktown, Virginia. He reported to U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Resolute, out of St. Petersburg, Florida, later that year where he performed his duties as a main propulsion technician, law enforcement officer, rescue and assistance team, and flight operations fuel team. Kehoe was involved in several counter drug operations resulting in the apprehension of multiple drug smugglers and millions of dollars in illicit narcotics. 

In 2019, Ensign Kehoe was deployed overseas to Bahrain and Kuwait as a part of Operation Inherent Resolve, providing technical assistance and security for Coast Guard, Navy, and Army assets in the Persian Gulf. Kehoe performed critical maintenance on multiple Coast Guard assets, keeping vessels capable of performing the anti-terrorism mission and force protection in the Middle East. In August of 2021, he was selected for the U.S. Coast Guard Direct Commission program, promoted to the rank of Ensign, and became a part of the Coast Guard Officer Corps.

Currently, Ensign Kehoe serves as a Response Member at the Atlantic Strike Team in Fort Dix, New Jersey. His primary duties include responding to hazardous material and natural disaster events as a technical expert and first responder. In addition, Kehoe serves as one of the unit's small Unmanned Aerial System pilots to perform post-disaster damage assessments and assess areas at risk for potential HAZMAT and disaster events. He responded to Hurricane Ida where he provided aerial support to the response and cleanup efforts in Louisiana, ensuring the safety of the local communities and recovery of the environment. During his six years of service, Ensign Maxx Kehoe has been awarded two U.S. Coast Guard Achievement Medals for his outstanding performance and devotion to duty. A lifelong Eagles fan, Ensign Kehoe spends his Sundays cheering on the Birds.

November 21

Saints vs. Eagles

Ensign Collin Blugis grew up in Odenton, Maryland, the son of a twenty-year United States Army Veteran. After graduating from Wesley College in Dover, Delaware, where he played football, Collin joined the United States Coast Guard where he has served since 2012. In the nine years since enlisting, Ensign Blugis has spent time serving at a number of different units conducting a wide range of Coast Guard missions. Assignments early in his career include the Coast Guard Cutter FARALLON in San Juan, Puerto Rico conducting migrant and drug interdictions in the Caribbean, as well as serving at Aids to Navigation Team Crisfield in Crisfield, Maryland. The latter mission involved servicing navigational aids in the Chesapeake Bay.

Later, Ensign Blugis was assigned to Station Woods Hole in Woods Hole, Massachusetts where he spent time conducting search and rescue, and law enforcement missions in the Vineyard Sound of Cape Cod. While serving at Woods Hole, Ensign Blugis received appointment to Officer Candidate School to become a Commissioned Officer in the Coast Guard. Ensign Blugis received his commission earlier this year in May of 2021 and was assigned to Sector Delaware Bay in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Looking towards the future, Ensign Collin Blugis plans to continue to serve the Coast Guard while he shares his diehard Eagles fandom with his wife and young son.

November 5

Chargers vs. Eagles

Chief Master Sergeant Matthew J. Johnson is the Chief Enlisted Manager for the 108th Communications Flight, 108th Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. As the Senior Enlisted Leader of the Communications Flight, he is responsible for advising the Commander and Staff on mission effectiveness, professional development, readiness, training, health, morale and welfare for over 40 Air Guard Members.

Chief Johnson entered the Air Force in July of 1996 and graduated technical school at Sheppard AFB, Texas as a Financial Management Technician in September 1996. His background includes over 20 years in the Financial Management career field, having held various positions at the Flight and Squadron levels. Chief Johnson began his service in Financial Management as an Accounting Technician at the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota. Chief Johnson deployed to Al Jaber AB, Kuwait in 1999 in support of Operation Southern Watch. Throughout Chief Johnsons' Financial Management Career he has held positions such as Dispersing Agent, Travel Pay Technician and ultimately the Superintendent of the Comptroller Flight at the 108th Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.

Chief Johnson recently returned home from a 7-month CENTCOM deployment, just in time to root on his Philadelphia Eagles.

October 14

Buccaneers vs. Eagles

Born and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Gunnery Sergeant Cameron D. McNeill began his military career shortly after graduating from Parkland Highschool. McNeill enlisted into the Marine Corps and left for Parris Island in the summer of 2009, graduating boot camp later that year. From there, GySgt McNeill was stationed in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina with 2nd Medical Battalion. In 2010, he deployed for the first time as a part of Continuing Promise 10. During this deployment, McNeill spent time providing aid to countries in South America that had seen recent devastation by natural disasters. The following year, McNeill was deployed to Marjah, Afghanistan where he was assigned to the Shock Trauma Platoon with 3rd Battalion 9th Marines.

After finishing his second deployment, GySgt McNeill returned home in September of 2011. After a couple of years, McNeill was stationed in Quantico, Virginia where he worked as support staff at Officer Candidates School. In 2016, McNeill began a new chapter in his military career when he began working recruitment in Silver Spring, Maryland. The following year, McNeill was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and earlier this year, to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.

Gunnery Sergeant Cameron McNeill currently serves as the Station Commander for Recruiting Sub Station Bucks County. As an avid Birds fan who grew up in the Lehigh Valley, Cameron has attended Eagles training camp since he was four years old.

October 3

Chiefs vs. Eagles

Captain John Nachtman grew up in a military family, originally residing in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. After attending Holy Ghost Prep and graduating from college, where he served in the Army Reserve Officer Training program, John commissioned into the U.S. Army in 2012. Shortly thereafter, he attended Army Flight School where he earned his Aviator Wings as an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter pilot. Captain Nachtman's first assignment was as a Platoon Leader in 2-6 Cavalry Squadron at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii and Camp Humphreys, South Korea.

After four years as an Army aviator, John joined the Air Force Reserve, serving with the 514th Air Mobility Wing, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. Captain Nachtman currently serves as an Aircraft Commander in the 78th Air Refueling Squadron where he flies the KC-10 Extender. 

John's team serves the critical function of refueling aircraft, often during combat missions, to allow them to continue their operations with minimal or no interruption. Flying around the world, including missions to Iraq and Afghanistan, John has achieved over two hundred combat hours while deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve as well as numerous other joint service missions. 

Captain Nachtman comes from a line of military service, being the son of a Desert Storm Veteran and Pilot, John Sr. and grandson of World War II veteran, Richard O'Donnell. A life-long Eagles fan, Captain John Nachtman currently resides in Philadelphia with his fiancé.

September 19

49ers vs. Eagles

Chief Warrant Officer Two (CW2) Andrew Swerdlow grew up in Northeast Philadelphia. In March of 2004, he enlisted into the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, first serving as the Multi-Channel System Operator/Maintainer for HHT, 1-104th Cavalry in Philadelphia. Since 2007, CW2 Swerdlow has been a full-time member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, later being elected as a member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry. Over the years, he has served in various roles and currently holds the position of Human Resource Officer Technician for the 213th Regional Support Group, Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Throughout his 17 years of service, CW2 Swerdlow has received multiple awards and recognition, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (x3), Army Achievement Medal (x2), and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. He has deployed twice under Operation Enduring Freedom, to Egypt in 2008 and Kuwait in 2013, and has assisted in multiple domestic humanitarian missions, specifically being called upon for support during floods and server winter storms. This past year he oversaw the personal accountability for PA National Guard soldiers supporting state missions for Operation Protect PA, COVID-19 Support and missions in Washington D.C.

When not actively serving his country, Chief Warrant Officer Two Andrew Swerdlow enjoys spending time with his family and cheering on the Eagles while he works to complete a Bachelor's degree at The Pennsylvania State University.

August 19

Patriots vs. Eagles

Sergeant First Class Robert E. Whitman, a lifelong resident of Upper Bucks County, Pennsylvania, enlisted in the US Army on his seventeenth birthday. Whitman spent several years serving as a Rifleman with C Company (-) 1/111th Infantry, Doylestown, PA, attaining the Rank of Sergeant, until he was honorably discharged at the age of 23. After spending nearly a quarter century in the automotive industry, Whitman re-enlisted at the age of 44, first serving as a Transportation Logistician with HHC 228th Brigade Support Battalion, Sellersville, PA.

In 2012, Whitman deployed to Kuwait with D Company 1/109th Infantry. Upon his return, the 228th became the 55th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB). Whitman was selected to full-time work as a Supply Logistician for the Homeland Response Force in 2015, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. SSG Whitman volunteered to deploy to Jordan with the 28th Infantry Division in 2018, providing logistical support in the standing up of the new Joint Training Center near Amman.

More recently, SSG Whitman volunteered to deploy to Iraq with A Co 2/104th General Support Aviation Battalion. He served as a door gunner, ultimately being promoted to Sergeant First Class. In May of 2021, SFC Whitman returned home where he resides with his girlfriend and her two children. When not serving his country, SFC Whitman enjoys family, motorcycles, marksmanship, authoring his personal military story and cheering on the Eagles.

August 12

Steelers vs. Eagles

Petty Officer Darrin Michael Jainlett II joined the US Navy shortly after graduating High School in 2014. He deployed three times during his six years serving aboard the USS Kearsarge, once for Combat and twice for Humanitarian Relief missions responding to Hurricanes Harvey and Maria. HT2 Jainlett was one of the Leading Petty Officers in the ship's Damage Control/Repair Division, a team responsible for all of the structural repairs onboard the ship while at sea. Jainlett's responsibilities extended to his position as one of the ship's Fire Marshals and Damage Control On-Scene Leader where he was involved in combating over 45 fires, 27 toxic gas scenarios, 20 flooding and 76 medical emergencies.

Since leaving the Kearsarge, Jainlett has returned to the City of Brotherly love to give back to his hometown community. While finishing up a degree at the American Military University, HT2 Jainlett works as a Navy Talent Scout for the Navy Talent Acquisition Group of Philadelphia. He hopes to mentor the next generation of servicemembers by providing kids in the city with the same opportunities he once found. Raised in the West Oak Lane / Mt. Airy area of Philadelphia, Jainlett attended George Washington High School where he was a member of the Football and Basketball teams. Petty Officer Darrin Michael Jainlett II lives in the Philadelphia area with his fiancé, whom he met aboard the Kearsarge, and their baby daughter.