Inside Chickie’s and Pete’s in South Philadelphia, the drinks were flowing Wednesday night, all thanks to some very special celebrity bartenders.
“We just got done with practice, it’s packed, it’s a good time,” Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson said.
Johnson and fellow Eagles fan favorites Jordan Mailata and Brandon Graham usually dish out the hits, but on Wednesday night they served up the liquor. Proceeds from the joint venture alongside SportsRadio 94WIP will benefit the Travis Manion Foundation, a national veterans organization that supports military members and their families.
“I’ve had people in my family who served,” Johnson said. “My personal trainer was a combat Marine, so I know firsthand what they’ve been through and what they’re going through.”
For the second year in a row, Johnson has chosen this goal as part of his Salute to Service Initiative. Travis Manion, a 26-year-old Bucks County resident and Navy first lieutenant, was killed in 2007 during his second deployment to Iraq.
“His main message was: ‘If not me, who?’ So he put others before himself, which is very humiliating and a testament to the kind of person he was,” Johnson said.
“Those were the five words my brother spoke before he left for his final deployment to Iraq when he was asked why he had to go back, and we took those five words and turned them into a movement,” said Ryan Manion, Travis. ‘ sister.
“My brother was not only an Eagles fan, but a diehard Philly sports fan, so to do this and have the partnership that we have with the Philadelphia Eagles, it’s super special,” she added.
Now in its 17th year, Ryan Manion said this foundation ensures that no veteran is forgotten and that Travis’ mission to selflessly help others is always available.
Alicia Roberts
