Clemson Holds 2020 Military Appreciation Day Saturday

Clemson’s Military Heritage • Clemson Scroll of Honor • Gameday Guide

Clemson University will celebrate Military Appreciation Day Saturday as football hosts Pitt at 3:30 p.m., and the university has a full slate of recognitions planned:

Honorary Captains – 1^st Quarter 1^st Timeout

• Mason Cloy: Former Tiger offensive lineman completed five years of military service in 2018. After graduating from the Clemson ROTC program in 2012, he went on to graduate from the United States Army Ranger School and Airborne School. On the gridiron, Cloy played in 51 games for the Tigers. His blocking for Clemson running backs was a reason the Tigers won two Atlantic Division titles and the ACC Championship in 2011.
• Kevin Youngblood has been an officer of the U.S. Secret Service for the past 12 years. He is charged with providing protection and security for federal grounds, including the White House. As a Tiger, Youngblood was a top receiver from 2000-03 when he had 141 career receptions for over 1700 yards. He will always be remembered for catching the winning touchdown pass in an overtime victory against Virginia in 2003.

 Hero of the Game – 1^st Quarter 2^nd Timeout

• MAJOR CASEY “DEUCE” MANNING (GRADUATED CLEMSON IN 2005), PREVIOUS F-16 PILOT AND CURRENT F-35 PILOT AND INSTRUCTOR PILOT.
• MAJOR ZACH “THOR” SHULER (GRADUATED CLEMSON IN 2009), PREVIOUS F-15E PILOT AND CURRENT F-35 PILOT AND INSTRUCTOR PILOT.

Military VIP’s – End of 1^st Quarter

• MAJOR GEN. JAMES LINDER (RET), SERVED AS THE CHIEF OF STAFF OF U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS
• GEN. TIMOTHY J. SHERIFF, COMMANDER OF 263RD ARMY AIR AND MISSILE DEFENSE COMMAND
• GEN. FRANK M. RICE DEPUTY, COMMANDING GENERAL OF 263RD ARMY AIR MISSILE DEFENSE COMMAND
• LTC EDWARD CLOYD, COMMANDER OF THE 218TH MANEUVER ENHANCEMENT BRIGADE
• MAJOR GEN. WILLIAM GRIMSLEY (RET), SOUTH CAROLINA SECRETARY OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

Professor and Staffer of the Game – 2^nd Quarter 1^st Timeout

• Thomas Britt, Professor of Psychology and the Prisma Health Science Center Research Director for Clemson. Professor Britt entered active duty as a research psychologist in the U.S. Army and received an honorable discharge as a Major. Professor Britt has been at Clemson University since 2000 and was promoted to full professor in 2007.
• Jill Wilks has worked for Clemson for 42 years, including 10 years in the Clemson Career Workshop Minority Recruiting Program. For the last 27 years, Jill has worked in athletics for the football department as an administrative assistant for the Offense, Recruiting and Football Administration.

Block C Spotlight – 2^nd Quarter 3^rd Timeout

• Col Bill Austin
  • Played on the 1959 Football Team
  • SERVED IN THE VIETNAM WAR AS AN F-4 PHANTOM PILOT AND WAS SHOT DOWN ON HIS 81ST COMBAT FLIGHT OVER NORTH VIETNAM AND SURVIVED 1,986 DAYS OF INTERNMENT BY THE NORTH VIETNAMESE ARMY. AFTER THE WAR, HE SERVED FOR 15 MORE YEARS IN THE AIR FORCE AND THEN RETURNED TO CLEMSON AS THE AIR FORCE ROTC DETACHMENT COMMANDER UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT IN 1988.

Coca-Cola Game Sponsor Spotlight – 2^nd Quarter 4^th Timeout

• Sergeant Major Kerry Gilstrap, U.S. Marine Corps (retired)
  • 30 years of service, Sept 1983 – Sept 2013
  • During his career, he has served more than 1,400 days at sea aboard five different ships.
  • He had multiple combat deployments to Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  • In 2003, he received the Purple Heart for wounds received in action in Iraq

Wounded Veteran Spotlight – 3^rd Quarter 2^nd Timeout

• Melissa McCullough
  • Served in the Navy
  • Broke her back on active duty
  • Now a PhD Candidate at Clemson University
  • Clemson, Operation Hat Trick and Purple Heart Homes helped to provide upgrades to her house

Healthcare Hero of the Game – 3^rd Quarter 3^rd Timeout

• Michael Platt
  • Manager of Safety and Emergency Management for the Midlands Medical Group manages the on-site COVID-19 drive-through testing at Prisma Health Richland Hospital
  • Military Service: 1981-2020, Air National Guard
  • Active duty for Operation Iraqi Freedom, Desert Storm
  • 39 years, retired in June 2020

First Responder Spotlight – 4^th Quarter 1^st Timeout

• Kevin Johnson
  • Enlisted in the South Carolina Army National Guard in deployed to Afghanistan in 2007.
  • During my 18 months in country, served as a platoon medic for infantry companies as well as a team medic for Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police mentor teams.
  • Was awarded the Combat Action Badge, Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Army Commendation Medal.
    • Returned stateside to pursue a career in law enforcement with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources where he is currently serving in the lowcountry of Charleston, SC.

Halftime

• Tiger Band will play normal show from the Hill for first 5 minutes.
• Will recognize Veterans with the playing of the Service Medley.
• Soldiers Cross and 21 Gun Salute will take place from the Scroll of Honor.