DATE: October 01, 2007

CONTACT: Kenneth Weaver, (864) 656-6933
weaver3@clemson.edu

WRITER: Teresa C. Hopkins, (864) 656-1222
hopkin1@clemson.edu


Clemson, Virginia Tech set to honor military personnel and families

CLEMSON – Saturday's football game between Clemson University and Virginia Tech is about more than first downs, touchdowns and ACC title hopes. The day has been designated Military Appreciation Day 2007.    

Clemson’s Army and Air Force ROTC personnel, in collaboration with the Clemson Corps, the athletic department and Tiger band sponsor the event each year.

“Clemson has a proud military tradition that dates back 118 years and more than 10,000 Clemson alumni have served in the armed forces,” said Col. Sandy Edge, who is retired from the U.S. Air Force and is chairman of the Clemson Corps. “We must pay tribute to these dedicated Americans and all those who have served in the defense of this great country.”

The event this year focuses on military families and their contributions to the nation and serves as the kickoff of the fund-raising campaign for the Memorial Stadium Scroll of Honor monument.

These events are planned for the day:

  • Beginning at 9 a.m. there will be a past and present military equipment display on Bowman Field, including a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter and the U.S. Air Force NASCAR No. 21 car;
  • Members of the 101st Airborne Division will have a parachute with the game ball;
  • The Virginia Tech Color Guard and the Clemson Pershing Rifles will present the colors at the game;
  • There will be F-16 fly-overs of the stadium;
  • At half-time, the Army Cannon Salute Battery will honor fallen service personnel with a 21-gun salute, followed by a fallen comrade boot and helmet ceremony by the Clemson Ranger Club; and
  • There will be a veteran’s parade down Fort Hill Street at 5 p.m. 

Construction on the Memorial Stadium Scroll of Honor monument is planned to begin later this year along Williamson Road across from the east entrance of the football stadium. To date 470 Clemson alumni have died serving in the line of duty.

“Since 1942 when Memorial Stadium was named to honor Clemson alumni who had made the ultimate sacrifice for our country there is no mention of these alumni on or near the stadium,” said retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Hap Carr, who is past chairman of the Clemson Corps. “It is time we recognize these heroes who have made it possible for us to enjoy the freedoms we so richly cherish.”

This year’s Military Appreciation Day involved elementary- and middle-school students from Pickens County who wrote "America Supports You” postcards to military personnel overseas. During the Clemson marching band pre-game military salute, a wagon full of the postcards will be used to dot the “i” when the band spells out “Tigers” on the field.

Military Appreciation Day commemorative T-shirts are available in various Clemson shops for fans to purchase and wear on game day. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Clemson University Air Force and Army ROTC programs. Information is available at www.clemsontigers.com.

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