Troy University will salute veterans and members of the military during Saturday’s Military Appreciation football game at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Since 2000, the University has designated one home football game each year to honor both current and past members of the Armed Forces. On Saturday, the Trojans will play host to the Akron Zips with kickoff set for 5 p.m.
“Freedom is not free, and Troy University is proud to have served the men and women of the United States military who keep us free for more than 60 years,” said Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr., Chancellor. “We have graduated thousands of military men and women and have thousands of current students or alumni serving our country and going into harm’s way. We are proud of their service and pleased to be able to honor them and celebrate their service in this way.”
Members of the military with ID receive free admission, but tickets must be obtained in advance through their base Public Affairs Office or the TROY ticket office. Friends and family can purchase discounted tickets prior to game day for only $8. Tickets can be purchased in person or by calling 334-670-3680 or by visiting www.TroyTrojans.com/tickets.
The day will include several events designed to celebrate the country’s military men and women, as well as the University’s commitment to serving military students, which dates back to the 1950s.
A representative from each branch of the military will walk with the football team through Tailgate Terrace for Trojan Walk, beginning at 2:45 p.m.
Leading up to game time, an enlistment ceremony will be held on the field under the direction of Maj. Gen. Sheryl Gordon, who was appointed in July as the first female Adjutant General of the Alabama National Guard. Gen. Gordon will also take part in the coin toss.
Leading up to kick off, TROY’s Sound of the South Marching Band will perform The National Anthem, followed by “America The Beautiful,” while a large American Flag will cover the full length of the football field and two F-16 fighter jets from the 187th Fighter Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard, based at Montgomery’s Dannelly Field, will perform a flyover.
Check presentations by Lockheed Martin and TROY supporters for the TROY for Troops Scholarship Program will take place during a break in game action in the first quarter.
Between the first and second quarters of the game, the Sound of the South will perform the introduction of the service song of each branch, and members or veterans of each branch will be invited to stand and be honored during the playing of their service song.
Patriotic themed t-shirts featuring the stars and stripes of the American flag inside the Troy power T logo are on sale and available for purchase at Barnes & Noble.
During the game the Troy Trojan football team will wear the patriotic power T logo on their helmet and members of the team will run out onto the field pre game holding flags from each military service branch.
