Clemson to Celebrate Military Appreciation Day Saturday, September 10

Sept. 8, 2011

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson Athletics will celebrate Military Appreciation Day this Saturday, September 10 at the Clemson vs. Wofford football game at Memorial Stadium. On Saturday, the Clemson University Athletic Department will recognize and honor our fallen soldiers, veterans and current military personnel serving in our armed forces during pregame and halftime ceremonies of the 3:30 PM football game between the Tigers and Terriers.

Below is a schedule of the day’s events:

Bowman Field will have various military displays on site beginning at 9:00 AM

Pregame Concert and Parade All fans, veterans and current soldiers from both schools are invited to a pregame concert in the amphitheater located in front of Cooper Library. Performing will be:

1:30 PM – The Upstate Pipe Band (two hours prior to kickoff)2:00 PM – Clemson University Tiger Band (90 minutes prior tokickoff)

Veterans and current soldiers can participate in a parade to the stadium through the Clemson campus. Parade lineup is at 2:15 PM (75 minutes prior to kickoff) outside the Holmes and McCabe dormitories located on Fort Hill Street. The parade will begin at 2:30 PM (one hour prior to kickoff) and will end at the tunnel of Littlejohn Coliseum.

The parade lineup will include the Tiger Platoon Color Guard, Riderless Horse, Word War II Jeep, the Upstate Pipe Band, the Summerall Guard from The Citadel, Wofford Army ROTC cadets, Wofford veterans and active duty soldiers, the Clemson Corps banner, Clemson Army, Air Force ROTC, Clemson Marine Officers Candidates, Senior Platoon banner, Clemson veterans and active duty soldiers, cheerleaders, mascot and Tiger Band.

Pregame FestivitiesTIME ON THE PRE-GAME CLOCK22:00 • Clemson Band Military Pregame Salute • Dotting the “i” – Cadet Commanders from the Army and Air Force ROTC and the Marines Officers Training Program • Presentation of colors by the USMC Color Guard from Paris Island, SC • God Bless America • Introduction of 20 families of fallen soldiers from South Carolina • Invocation – South Carolina National Guard Chaplain Lt. Col. Eric Turner • Pledge of Allegiance • National Anthem • Flyover of four F-16’s from the 169th Fighter Wing of the South Carolina Air National Guard at the conclusion of the National Anthem • The placement of a wreath, helmet and boots by the Clemson University Ranger Club • 21 gun salute by the Clemson University Company-C-4 Pershing Rifles and the playing of “Taps” by the Clemson University Tiger Band3:00 • Run Down “The Hill” • Coin Toss by members of the S.C. Army National Guard

The South Carolina National Guard has designed the coin that will be used in the pregame coin toss. The commemorative coin honors all the soldiers killed in the war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

End of First Quarter Members of the Wounded Warriors Program will be introduced from the East Endzone

Second Quarter Introduction Area first responders will be introduced in memory of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Special guest will be retired New York City Firefighter Dennis Amodio who was assigned to Rescue Company 1 (Special Operations). Dennis helped with the rescue operations at the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and on 9/11.

Halftime Festivities All veterans and current soldiers from both schools are invited to participate in halftime ceremonies by gathering in the West Endzone with five (5) minutes remaining in the second quarter by using Portal W and X.

Halftime ceremonies will feature the parade of veterans and current soldiers on the field. The Citadel’s Summerall Guard will perform a seven-minute silent drill march to honor the men of Clemson Agricultural College who performed in the Senior Platoon from 1930-1960. Following the Summerall Guard’s performance, Clemson University Tiger Band will play the military hymns of the five service branches.

Pershing Rifles The Clemson University Company C-4 Pershing Rifles National Championship drill team will be guarding the Scroll of Honor Memorial beginning at 3:30 PM on Friday, September 9, twenty-four (24) hours prior to kickoff of the Clemson vs. Wofford football game. The changing of the guard will take place at the top of every hour and will be similar to the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. At 12 noon on Saturday September 10, there will be a Retreat Ceremony of our National colors at the Scroll of Honor Memorial followed by the posting of a new American flag.

Commemorative T-Shirt on Sale Clemson fans have the opportunity to take part by purchasing this year’s Military Appreciation Day t-shirt. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the shirt will go towards the Army and Air Force ROTC programs at Clemson University. Cost is $15.95 per shirt.

To Purchase the T-Shirt in Clemson and Greenville, SC:

Clemson University’s Official Athletic Department Website -www.clemsontigers.com Tiger Town Graphics – (864) 654-1365,www.tigertowngraphics.com The Athletic Department – (864) 654-1719,www.tigersports.com Tiger Sports Shop – (864) 654-1719,www.tigersports.com Mr. Knickerbocker’s – (864) 654-4203,www.mrknickerbocker.com Judge Keller’s Store – (864) 654-6446

Scroll of Honor Posters 7,000 – 11″x11″ Scroll of Honor posters will be distributed to the Clemson University dormitory rooms prior to the Wofford football game. The posters list the 479 Clemson men who have made the ultimate sacrifice during all wars. The lone Star on the front of the poster is in honor of these Clemson heroes.

During the early days of World War I, a Blue Star was used to represent each person, man or woman in the Military Service of the United States. As the war progressed and men were killed in combat, others wounded and died of their wounds or disease, there came about the accepted usage of the Gold Star.

The Gold Star was substituted and superimposed upon the Blue Star in such a manner as to entirely cover it. The idea of the Gold Star was that the honor and glory accorded the person for his supreme sacrifice in offering for his country, the last full measure of devotion and pride of the family in this sacrifice, rather than the sense of personal loss which would be represented by the mourning symbols.

Military Appreciation Day Street Banners Street banners will be displayed in downtown Clemson to commemorate Military Appreciation Day.

9/11 Salute 2,977 American flags will be planted on Bowman Field the morning of Saturday, September 10, as a memorial to all those who died on September 11, 2001. The flags will be set up through the afternoon of Sunday, 9/11.

Tickets Tickets for the Clemson vs. Wofford football game can be purchased online at www.clemsontigers.com, by phone at 1-800-CLEMSON or in person at the Clemson Athletic Ticket Office from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.