"Townsville is a garrison city so we've got a lot of armed forces up here. I think it means a little bit more to our community days like Anzac Day and Remembrance Day."
Back-up hooker Thompson has slotted into the No 7 jersey replacing Robert Lui in the fallout over North Queensland's controversial last round loss to Manly.
Thompson becomes the latest new face next to co-captain Johnathan Thurston in the halves - but Green all but ruled out code hopper Marshall becoming the next.
Marshall has been linked with Melbourne and Cronulla after being released from Super Rugby club the Blues this week.
But Green confirmed they had made an official inquiry.
"When a good player like that comes on the market, we wouldn't be doing our job if we didn't ask the question," Green said of Marshall.
"I haven't spoken to him but I would say he would be more keen to stay in Sydney.
"We inquired and that is as far as it has gone."
Asked what Marshall would add to the Cowboys, Green said: "There is a hell of a lot of stuff that would have to happen for it to come off. But Benji Marshall is a great player.
"He has played tests for New Zealand, won a World Cup, won a premiership, he has some great skills.
"Whatever club he goes for he will add something."
For now, Green is happy with the man picked beside Thurston - Thompson.
Since Aaron Payne's retirement at the end of 2012, Thompson had been groomed as a rake.
But back-to-back disappointing games by Lui proved too much for rookie coach Green.
"I'm looking for a bit more out of our halves and hopefully having Ray there will give us that," Green said. AAP
