[189] Salute Veterans at Nov. 14 MTSU Festivities

Release date: Nov. 9, 2009


News & Public Affairs contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or jweiler@mtsu.edu
Military Science contact: Maj. Chuck Giles, 615-898-2470 or cgiles@mtsu.edu
MT Athletics contact: Brad Smith, 615-898-5322 or bsmith@mtsu.edu

Salute Veterans at Nov. 14 MTSU Festivities


(MURFREESBORO) — MTSU’s military science and athletic departments have special events planned around the 28th annual Salute to Armed Services/Veterans Day Saturday, Nov. 14.
There’s something for everyone, including an Air Force flyover, parachutists bringing the game ball, a picnic and a patriotic halftime salute, during the Blue Raiders’ 3:15 p.m. Sun Belt Conference football game against Louisiana-Lafayette in Floyd Stadium.
Some noted MTSU military alumni, including U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Tony L. Cothron and Brig. Gen. Terry “Max” Haston, assistant adjutant general of the Tennessee National Guard, have been invited for a return visit to campus by university President Sidney A. McPhee. They will gather for brunch at the president’s home at 10 a.m. and will be recognized between the first and second quarters of the game.
After ROTC alumni meet at 11 a.m. at Forrest Hall, the first Veterans Memorial Service with the new veterans memorial in place will be held just outside the Tom H. Jackson Building.
At noon, veterans can register for the 12:30 p.m. barbecue picnic they will share with many of the 153 current cadet corps members at a site adjacent to the Kennon Sports Hall of Fame.
Roy Edwin Barker of Brentwood will be the 20th recipient of the Dr. Joe Nunley Memorial Award in a presentation that will begin at 1:30 p.m. MTSU alumnus Joe Nunley Jr. and John Furguss, past national commander in chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and commander of American Legion Post 05 in Nashville, will preside.
State Farm Insurance is providing complimentary tickets to the game for active military, veterans and their families on a first-come, first-served basis.
“This year, a combined service color guard will present the colors before the game,” said Maj. Chuck Giles, assistant professor of military science.
Following the Air Force flyover, weather permitting, the 101st Airborne Division Parachute Demonstration Team will bring the game ball. During halftime ceremonies, all veterans from World War II to the current war on terrorism will be recognized on the field as the MTSU Band of Blue plays each military branch’s song.
The Marine Corps also will be collecting new toys at the gate for their Toys for Tots program. The Tennessee National Guard will set up military vehicles and equipment around the stadium, Giles said.
On Friday, Nov. 13, starting at 10 a.m. on the Keathley University Center knoll, the military science department will have a weapons simulation. It will run most of the day.
In addition to State Farm, other game presenters include Barrett Firearms, the National Guard and MT Athletics.
For more information, contact Brad Smith at 615-898-5322 or call Giles at 615-898-2470.


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With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.
For MTSU news and information, go to mtsunews.com.

Media welcomed. (Note: Media credential required to gain entry into Floyd Stadium for the football game.)