Troy University gave people a chance to show their support for the military at Saturday’s football game by unveiling the TROY for Troops support wall, a large white board inside Veterans Memorial Stadium available for visitors to sign with encouraging messages to the troops.

For those attending the game, it was a chance to show veterans that their sacrifices are appreciated.

“I just want to tell [service members] thanks for all the work they do,” said Bo Fulmer of Eclectic, Alabama. “They’re very appreciated and we love them very much, and we respect the sacrifices they make to protect our country. There are a bunch of people out here who love, support and appreciate them and everything they do for our country.”

For some, the sign had special meaning because of their personal ties to the armed forces.

“I have family members who are troops, and my best friend is at basic training right now for the Air Force,” said Cady Livermore, a freshman biomedical sciences major. “They do so much for us and don’t ask for anything in return, so I feel like whatever we can do to show them we appreciate them is important.”

Her fellow freshman, elementary education major Alaina Russ, agreed with those sentiments.

“A few people in my family are veterans, and I wanted to support them by signing the board,” Russ said. “I think it’s very important to do that, because they give so much for our country, and it’s the least we can do.”

Mike and Tasha Rhodes, Troy residents whose son graduated from University, said it’s vital for the community to support veterans.

“We’re thankful to them for giving us the freedom to come out and enjoy what we enjoy doing, the freedom to do what we want to do in life,” Mike Rhodes said, explaining why he and Tasha chose to sign the board. “They’ll know that we do support them, and that will hopefully give them some hope in their downtime away from their families.”

Delores Gill of LaGrange, Georgia, believes the troops don’t get enough support nationwide.

“My husband’s a veteran, and they’re not getting the recognition they need,” she said. “They fought for us, and we need to fight for them and fight for their rights.”

Luke Johnson, a Brantley High School student, showed up to Veterans Memorial Stadium to enjoy the football game between the Trojans and Arkansas State, but he couldn’t pass up the chance to send a message of love to the troops.

“I love our country and the veterans that support us, who fight for our freedoms in this great country we live in,” he said. “I wanted to let them know that they are being appreciated for what they do and that they mean something to this country.”