Middle Tennessee will host Rice in the 38th annual Salute to Veterans & Armed Forces game on Nov. 16th. Kickoff is set for 3:30 PM at Floyd Stadium.
MTSU will have a Veterans Memorial Service, pregame picnic, along with the presentation of the annual Dr. Joe Nunley Award.
The Veterans Memorial Service will begin at 12:00 p.m. at the Tom Jackson Building on campus. The pregame picnic will follow at 1:00 p.m. on the lawn of the Kennon Sports Hall of Fame. Static Displays will also be set up around the stadium entrances.
The MTSU pregame picnic, following the Veterans Memorial Service, is open to all veterans and active service members. Mission BBQ will be providing lunch to all Veterans and their families in attendance sponsored by Mid-South Ford. During the picnic, the Army Tennessee National Guard band will perform.
All veterans, service members and their families will be able to pick up complimentary tickets to the football game courtesy of State Farm at the pregame picnic.
The Dr. Joe Nunley Award ceremony will commence at 2:00 p.m., also on the lawn outside of the Kennon Sports Hall of Fame. The Dr. Joe Nunley award recognizes the accomplishments of a man or woman who served with distinction in the military. This year, the Dr. Joe Nunley Award will be presented to MTSU Alum and longtime BRAA member Don Witherspoon.
A special game ball delivery by the 101st 3rd Brigade Combat Team and Unit B 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion/Army Aviation Support Facility #3 â Jackson, TN will take place just before kickoff.
This year’s honorary captains will be children from a local organization, A Soldiers’ Child Foundation. The mission of this organization is to serve the children of military personnel who have lost their lives on active duty, while defending the United States of America.
In honor of A Soldiers’ Child, the Blue Raider football team will wear a special helmet decal that will include the names of the children’s military parents who have lost their lives on active duty.
Middle Tennessee is also teaming up with Toys for Tots. At each gate, a marine will be stationed with a Toys for Tots cart for a new or gently used toy donation.
At halftime, members of each military branch is encouraged to participate in an on field parade.
