Allison Stangeby would rather salute others than be saluted.

That is why the Giants' vice president of community and corporate relations – and proud military mom – is the perfect choice to be the club's nominee for the NFL's 2026 Salute to Service Award.

Now in its 16^th year, the annual award recognizes NFL players, coaches, staff and alumni who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to supporting U.S. service members, veterans, and their families.

Stangeby, who was announced today as one of 32 nominees around the league, goes above and beyond to honor, empower and connect with the military community.

Fans can show their support by voting at NFL.com/SaluteFanVote.

Fan voting will help determine the award's three finalists, who will be announced in January. The award recipient will be recognized at NFL Honors, the league's annual primetime awards special, during the week of Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles. Christian McCaffrey, an All-Pro running back for the 49ers, won the award last season. A decade earlier, John Harbaugh received the prestigious honor while head coach of the Ravens.

"Everybody can wrap their arms around saluting our service members," Stangeby said. "I have the utmost respect for people who make the decision to do that because it is a big deal. You put your life on hold and on the line to go into the military. What does it look like when you come out?"

That is why Stangeby is here.

She has been an integral member of the organization for 36 seasons. Her tenure began shortly after the Giants won Super Bowl XXV, which was played amid a burst of fervent patriotism due to the recent start to the Gulf War.

Since then, Stangeby has been working behind the scenes with the team to honor those who courageously serve or have served their country. In fact, the league's work with the Wounded Warrior Project stems from her early relationship with the founders.

It was only the beginning.

Stangeby proudly continues to show her military support in many meaningful ways, whether it's through facilitating re-enlistment ceremonies or having flags flown at MetLife Stadium to donating game tickets to military families.

In the biggest spirit of giving back, Stangeby's goal is to empower the military community. Hosting personnel at practice has allowed the team to give their thanks and show their support, and surprising a family each game day for an  on-field "Military Moment" has inspired fans for years.

Stangeby understands the importance of building relationships to connect with the military community. Whether it's in the Giants' backyard with the NYPD veterans group or in the German international market, she's ensuring that service members and veterans are getting the support they need. She spearheaded the team partnering with military-related nonprofits such as Merging Vets and Players, Tunnel to Towers Foundation for their Homeless Veterans Program, Puppies Behind Bars and HicksStrong.

Service has always been a part of Stangeby's everyday life.

Her father was in the National Guard and her grandparents were all in the military. But it was through her husband Erik Stangeby, a DEA agent for three decades who spent time all over the country and overseas, that she realized the sacrifice made in service of the country.

"I just feel like being married to an agent and watching what goes on and the craziness behind the scenes that nobody really sees, really made me recognize that there are people out there who are not as fortunate as I am," Stangeby said. "There are women or husbands and men and women out there who are not getting the support and trying to do everything by themselves, and it's a lot. It is a lot. So I felt like recognizing these people and trying to do right by them was always the right thing."

It became even more personal when Allison and Erik's adopted son, Staff Sgt. Joseph Stangeby, joined the U.S. Army Airborne Division in 2020 at the age of 19.

"He jumps out of planes all the time, but he'll always be Joey to me," Stangeby said. "Parents who have children in the military, you just operate day to day, but what goes on behind the scenes is like, is he coming home? Did he get leave? Is he able to come? Is he getting deployed? He might get deployed in the next five or six weeks, we don't know. Are you coming home for Thanksgiving? Maybe, but I know you're not going to be home for Christmas, so it's just sad.

"I mean, you just look at these guys as your kids. I  watch the families. You feel for the families, and the soldiers, the law enforcement, fire department. I feel like you feel for the families because being a family member, I get it. That's why we're here. That's why we're here. We're just always proud to support them because I know they support us and protect us."

The Giants' commitment to the military has been a cornerstone of the franchise, which is now in its 102^nd season.

Wellington Mara, the late owner and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. As was common with his generation, Mara rarely talked about his service, but his letters have brought his stories to life all these years later.

"Knowing that Mr. Mara was in the Navy and reading those stories that he would never talk about, but reading those letters now, it is so special," Stangeby said. "That's how we started. That says everything. Why are the Giants so involved in the military? I think that's why. Here's a person who's serving in the U.S. Navy in the middle of the Pacific, and he still cares about the team."