The Navy’s newest Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) hosted Action News Jax’s and the Jacksonville Jaguars’ weekly television show “Jaguars All Access” from the ship’s flight deck Nov. 21.

The show was part of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Salute to Service month where the NFL team shows its appreciation to service members. The event was hosted by Action News Jax’s Brent Martineau and former NFL defensive end Jeff Lageman and included special guests all pro defensive end Calais Campbell and wide receiver Chris Conley.

“Anytime that you can get around the military and just show our appreciation and the support that we have for them,” Campbell said. “What they do and the sacrifices that they make for us to be safe and be able to play the game – it makes it just an honor to be around them and get to know them.”

Lageman was also thrilled to be back at Naval Station Mayport and to be surrounded by service members.

“I think we did it a few years ago and it was tremendous,” Lageman said. “Glad to be back and glad to have all of the Navy personnel here helping us out. I got a little tour of the ship – all good stuff.”

Shortly before the event, Saint Michael’s Soldiers, a charity organization that supports deployed service members, donated care packages that will be sent to deployed Sailors serving aboard the Mayport-based guided missile destroyers USS Lassen (DDG 82) and USS Farragut (DDG 99).

“We are doing a hundred care packages and we are going to ship those out,” said Kathy Signorile. “We do our best to make a very difficult time of year a little bit better. We just do our best to bring a little bit of happiness during Christmas.”

Conley, who grew up in a military family, expressed his gratitude to the service members for the sacrifices that they make.

“Growing up on an Air Force base and growing up overseas, I realize that this life is not easy,” Conley said. “I realize that being mobile and sometimes having to uproot your family is difficult. When you have a military life, your family is totally involved. It’s just a huge sacrifice, so I have a lot of respect for them.”

Paul Ignatius is the Navy’s newest Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and is homported at Navy Station Mayport. The ship is named after the 59th United States Secretary of the Navy and is the 67th Arleigh Burke class destroyer, 2nd in the flight IIA “technology insertion” type. Its primary mission is to provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities.

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