Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
MT to honor A Soldiers' Child with special helmet decal
11/1/2017 3:19:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO – Middle Tennessee will be hosting its 36th annual Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces game on Nov. 4 when the Blue Raiders host UTEP. Kickoff is set for 6:30 PM.
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 specially designed stripe down the middle of the helmet that will include the names children's military parents who have lost their lives on active duty. The names will be written in red and white on the blue stripe, making it look like an American Flag from a distance.
"This is what athletics is all about, it's a lot bigger than the game," said Director of Athletics Chris Massaro. "We are honored to recognize these children whose parents gave us all the supreme sacrifice. This is a special day for our University."
Following is a list of names that will appear on the helmets Saturday at Floyd Stadium:
SSGT Jason Faley, USAF
CPL Isaac E. Diaz
LT Col Sean Roche
SSG Leston Winters
SSG Kevin T. Archer
SSG MUDD
SSG Franklin Wadsworth
SFC LUKE E HORTENSTINE
SGT Antonio Rivera
SGT Dustin Von Loh
TSGT Mark Smith
SFC Joseph Ferlicka
SSG Anthony Schmachtenberger
SFC Jeffrey Rada
SGT Wesley J Durden JR
SGT John T Good
SGT Daniel Eshbaugh
SGT Levi Gregory Johnson
LTC Hunter Lindsey, Army
SGT Jason Denfrund
LCPL James Kimple
SSG Matthew Mackey
HM3 Travis Youngblood
MSG Brian Naseman
SSG Christopher Popham
SGT Brandon Maggart
SFC Shawn Dostie
PO3 Micah Hill
WO1 Shawn Thomas
CPL Stephan B Ayala USMC
SSGT Ryan J Thomas
SFC Charles "Chuck" Adkins
SPC Cody Krajefska
SPC Christopher Wyatt McCullough
SSG Kirk A Owen
SPC Jordan C Schumann
The day will begin with a veteran's memorial service at the MTSU Veterans Memorial (in front of the Tom Jackson Building) at 2:30 PM.
With the establishment of the Daniels Veterans and Family Center and the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Tet Offensive (Vietnam War), MTSU will honor one of our fallen alums, James Van Howard, KIA from vehicle mine, Quang Tin Province, near Tam Ky, 1968. James Van Howard departed MTSU in 1966 to join the Army. He was the son of Country Music Hall of Fame songwriter, Harlan Howard, and Grand Ol' Opry star, Jan Howard. Mrs. Howard recounted a dream about her son's death in a top-15 song, "My Son." Shortly after writing the song, news of her son's death from a road mine arrived confirming her worst fears.
Following the memorial service, a picnic will be held for all veterans and active service members on the lawn of the Kennon Sports Hall of Fame Building at 4 PM. During the picnic, the Army Tennessee National Guard band will perform.
At 5 PM, the Dr. Joe Nunley Award will be presented in a ceremony at the Kennon Sports Hall of Fame, then at halftime the Band of Blue will conduct a patriotic salute as veterans march across Horace Jones Field.
For further information and to secure your ticket to the game, please call 615-898-5261 or visit GoBlueRaiders.com/Tickets.
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 specially designed stripe down the middle of the helmet that will include the names children's military parents who have lost their lives on active duty. The names will be written in red and white on the blue stripe, making it look like an American Flag from a distance.
"This is what athletics is all about, it's a lot bigger than the game," said Director of Athletics Chris Massaro. "We are honored to recognize these children whose parents gave us all the supreme sacrifice. This is a special day for our University."
Following is a list of names that will appear on the helmets Saturday at Floyd Stadium:
SSGT Jason Faley, USAF
CPL Isaac E. Diaz
LT Col Sean Roche
SSG Leston Winters
SSG Kevin T. Archer
SSG MUDD
SSG Franklin Wadsworth
SFC LUKE E HORTENSTINE
SGT Antonio Rivera
SGT Dustin Von Loh
TSGT Mark Smith
SFC Joseph Ferlicka
SSG Anthony Schmachtenberger
SFC Jeffrey Rada
SGT Wesley J Durden JR
SGT John T Good
SGT Daniel Eshbaugh
SGT Levi Gregory Johnson
LTC Hunter Lindsey, Army
SGT Jason Denfrund
LCPL James Kimple
SSG Matthew Mackey
HM3 Travis Youngblood
MSG Brian Naseman
SSG Christopher Popham
SGT Brandon Maggart
SFC Shawn Dostie
PO3 Micah Hill
WO1 Shawn Thomas
CPL Stephan B Ayala USMC
SSGT Ryan J Thomas
SFC Charles "Chuck" Adkins
SPC Cody Krajefska
SPC Christopher Wyatt McCullough
SSG Kirk A Owen
SPC Jordan C Schumann
The day will begin with a veteran's memorial service at the MTSU Veterans Memorial (in front of the Tom Jackson Building) at 2:30 PM.
With the establishment of the Daniels Veterans and Family Center and the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Tet Offensive (Vietnam War), MTSU will honor one of our fallen alums, James Van Howard, KIA from vehicle mine, Quang Tin Province, near Tam Ky, 1968. James Van Howard departed MTSU in 1966 to join the Army. He was the son of Country Music Hall of Fame songwriter, Harlan Howard, and Grand Ol' Opry star, Jan Howard. Mrs. Howard recounted a dream about her son's death in a top-15 song, "My Son." Shortly after writing the song, news of her son's death from a road mine arrived confirming her worst fears.
Following the memorial service, a picnic will be held for all veterans and active service members on the lawn of the Kennon Sports Hall of Fame Building at 4 PM. During the picnic, the Army Tennessee National Guard band will perform.
At 5 PM, the Dr. Joe Nunley Award will be presented in a ceremony at the Kennon Sports Hall of Fame, then at halftime the Band of Blue will conduct a patriotic salute as veterans march across Horace Jones Field.
For further information and to secure your ticket to the game, please call 615-898-5261 or visit GoBlueRaiders.com/Tickets.
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