By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU
Alabama State University will honor the members and veterans of the U.S. armed forces during ASU's Military Appreciation Day on Saturday, Nov. 23, at The ASU Stadium, as the Hornets take on the Prairie View A&M University Panthers.
The game kicks off at 2 p.m.
ASU's vice president of Institutional Advancement and the executive director of the ASU Foundation, Col. (retired) Gregory Clark, explained that the University holds all current and retired veterans of all branches of the U.S. military in high regard and has designated Saturday’s football game as an opportunity to honor them.
"The University is hosting its Military Appreciation Day as a focal point for us to all stop, recognize and thank the men and women who have laid their well-being and lives on the line for our nation so that freedom may live," stated Clark, a retired colonel in the U.S. Army. "ASU is partnering with various branches of the armed services to showcase Alabama State University's thanks to all of the military, past and present, in a public way."
Clark shared that the University is working with representatives of the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, and the Alabama Army and Air National Guard to coordinate the appreciation activities.
"In coordination with the military, we are conducting several very impressive things to showcase Alabama State's appreciation to the military that includes a parachute jump at the beginning of the football game that will land a service member in the middle of The ASU Stadium who will be carrying with them the coin that will be used to flip before the game starts to see what team gets possession of the ball," stated Clark. "Additionally, we will also have a military flyover of the stadium after the parachute jump occurs by the Alabama Air National Guard's 117th Air Refueling Wing."
In addition to the airborne tributes, both the Alabama Army National Guard and the U.S. Marine Corps will have a presence on the ground, with the Army hosting an electronic games trailer that offers free games for those attending the football game. Also, the U.S. Marine Corps will have a pull-up bar and other games.
"We are also pleased to have Colonel Shamekia N. Toliver, commander of the 42nd Air Base Wing at Maxwell Air Force Base, to serve as the honorary captain of the ASU vs. Prairie View A&M football game," Clark explained. "This is all being done under the leadership and direction of ASU's 15th President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr., who spearheads the University's desire to honor all of the military who have and are now safeguarding the United States."