Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Salute to veterans a special moment for Raiders
11/4/2020 5:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee will honor some of the nation's bravest Saturday when it takes on Charlotte at Floyd Stadium.
The contest will serve as the Blue Raiders' 39th annual Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces game, where the program will give thanks and honor those brave men and women.
"I've always thought this is a special day to honor those men and women," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said. "It's not long enough, but I hope they realize how much I respect and appreciate what they've sacrificed, what they're families have sacrificed, for us to be able to live freely like we do."
Colleges around the country hold similar events throughout the football season, but none do it quite like Middle Tennessee.
The Blue Raiders annually host a pregame picnic and Veterans Memorial Service for veterans and active service members, along with the presentation of the Dr. Joe Nunley Award, recognizing the accomplishments of a man or woman who served with distinction in the military.
Veterans and active service members are then invited onto the Floyd Stadium field during halftime, where the crowd can give them a standing ovation.
"I love to see them walk out on the field," senior linebacker DQ Thomas said. "It's always important for us to give back to them and show our appreciation to them, because they've sacrificed so much for us."
Seeing the service members is a special moment for the Blue Raiders.
The players have a job to do during the game, but taking a moment to give their appreciation to the active military personnel and honor the veterans and their families makes the day mean more than just a football game. It also gives the team a little boost before the start of the second half.
"It sets the tone of the game right there," Thomas said. "This is just a small thing we can do for them. We love seeing them out there and give our appreciation to them."
This year's Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces game also comes at a significant time, as the Blue Raiders joined the rest of the NCAA in taking Tuesday off so student-athletes could hit the polls and cast their votes in the election.
Though the off day made MT change its normal practice schedule, seeing his players get the opportunity to vote was special for Stockstill.
"We got all of our players registered to vote … and I think it's important because it gives them an opportunity to have a voice in what's going on and who they want representing, not just their country, but locally," he said.
With societal disagreements in the United States and a global pandemic changing everyday life, the Blue Raiders don't want people to forget to give thanks to veterans.
Saturday's events are a small way to honor those brave men and women, and the entire MT football program wants them to know how much appreciation it has for what they've sacrificed.
"Middle Tennessee was one of the first schools in the nation to start doing this, and we've been doing it a long time," Stockstill said. "I repeat myself every year, I know I do, … but it just shows our appreciation for what they've done and the sacrifices they have made."
The contest will serve as the Blue Raiders' 39th annual Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces game, where the program will give thanks and honor those brave men and women.
"I've always thought this is a special day to honor those men and women," MT head coach Rick Stockstill said. "It's not long enough, but I hope they realize how much I respect and appreciate what they've sacrificed, what they're families have sacrificed, for us to be able to live freely like we do."
Colleges around the country hold similar events throughout the football season, but none do it quite like Middle Tennessee.
The Blue Raiders annually host a pregame picnic and Veterans Memorial Service for veterans and active service members, along with the presentation of the Dr. Joe Nunley Award, recognizing the accomplishments of a man or woman who served with distinction in the military.
Veterans and active service members are then invited onto the Floyd Stadium field during halftime, where the crowd can give them a standing ovation.
"I love to see them walk out on the field," senior linebacker DQ Thomas said. "It's always important for us to give back to them and show our appreciation to them, because they've sacrificed so much for us."
Seeing the service members is a special moment for the Blue Raiders.
The players have a job to do during the game, but taking a moment to give their appreciation to the active military personnel and honor the veterans and their families makes the day mean more than just a football game. It also gives the team a little boost before the start of the second half.
"It sets the tone of the game right there," Thomas said. "This is just a small thing we can do for them. We love seeing them out there and give our appreciation to them."
This year's Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces game also comes at a significant time, as the Blue Raiders joined the rest of the NCAA in taking Tuesday off so student-athletes could hit the polls and cast their votes in the election.
Though the off day made MT change its normal practice schedule, seeing his players get the opportunity to vote was special for Stockstill.
"We got all of our players registered to vote … and I think it's important because it gives them an opportunity to have a voice in what's going on and who they want representing, not just their country, but locally," he said.
With societal disagreements in the United States and a global pandemic changing everyday life, the Blue Raiders don't want people to forget to give thanks to veterans.
Saturday's events are a small way to honor those brave men and women, and the entire MT football program wants them to know how much appreciation it has for what they've sacrificed.
"Middle Tennessee was one of the first schools in the nation to start doing this, and we've been doing it a long time," Stockstill said. "I repeat myself every year, I know I do, … but it just shows our appreciation for what they've done and the sacrifices they have made."
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