Wounded veteran, 12-year-old son attend Packers/Bears game for free

GREEN BAY -- B.J. Ganem's energy and excitement was infectious Thursday as he arrived at Lambeau Field with his 12-year-old son, Dylan. The two got free tickets to Thursday's prime time Packers vs. Bears game through a program for wounded soldiers.

The program is called "The Ultimate Football Journey For Wounded Warriors."

"It's just unbelievable. I just can't believe that I'm here for the Packers/Bears game," Ganem said.

Ganem was wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq on Thanksgiving Day, 2004. His foot had to be amputated and he spent a year recovering from his injuries at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

"Leg retained shrapnel, three shards of glass in the left eye, contact kept it from bursting, minor traumatic brain injury and a little bit of post-traumatic stress disorder," Ganem said.

Now, the injuries sustained don't seem to hold Ganem back.

"I just ran the Tough Mudder this past Saturday with the Wounded Warrior Project, so things are going pretty good," Ganem said.

Thursday's game was about more than free tickets. Before kickoff, Ganem and his son were invited onto the field, where the entire stadium applauded his courage and sacrifice.

"Stuff like this sends me over the top. It's almost embarrassing, but how are you gonna turn it down, right?" Ganem said.

"The Ultimate Football Journey For Wounded Warriors" program will bring wounded veterans like Ganem to 32 NFL games this season across the country.