Clemson to Celebrate Military Appreciation Day Saturday

Clemson University celebrates Military Appreciation Day on Saturday as the Clemson football team plays host to The Citadel at noon. The university has a full slate of activities planned throughout the day in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the event. The game features the school’s first-ever Purple Out as fans are encouraged to wear purple in support of the military.

Bowman Field will open officially at 8 a.m., and will have the largest display of military vehicles in the 20-year history of Military Appreciation Day. The displays will include current military vehicles, vintage vehicles and several interactive displays.

The Pershing Rifles will have a 24-hour guard at the Scroll of Honor beginning at noon Friday. There will be a special flag change-out ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Scroll of Honor by the Pershing Rifles. There will be a tailgate with light refreshments for Clemson alumni who are in or were in the military at Fike Recreation Center beginning at 9:30 a.m. Distinguished visitors include Lt. Gen. John Mulholland, a Furman graduate and now deputy commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command; Maj. Gen. Jay Raymond, USAF, a Clemson graduate who is director of Strategic Plans and Policy at the U.S. Strategic Command; and Brig. Gen. Eddie Jackson, who also is a Clemson graduate and is commander of the South Atlantic Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Following a half-hour Tiger Band performance beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the amphitheater, the military parade will roll from the Holmes and McCabe residence halls. All veterans and current military personnel from both Clemson and The Citadel are invited to participate in the parade.

Celebrations continue at the game, with a scheduled flyover of six post-World War II vintage Warbirds at the conclusion of the National Anthem. Throughout the game, there will be numerous recognitions and ceremonies to honor military dignitaries, Wounded Warriors, Honor Flight and more.

Halftime plans include the Summerall Guard from The Citadel and a special ceremony as Clemson pays tribute to fallen soldiers from South Carolina and recognizes their family members. The Clemson Marching Band will pay tribute to all five branches of the military in its halftime show.

All veterans and current military personnel are invited to stand in the west end zone during the halftime ceremony. To participate, go to Portal X in the WestZone with five minutes remaining in the second quarter.