Michigan Hosts Military Appreciation Day Against Army on Saturday
9/5/2019 11:30:00 AM | Football
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan football program's Military Appreciation Game will take place on Saturday (Sept. 7) vs. Army at Michigan Stadium. Prior to and during the game, the Michigan Athletic Department and its fans will recognize and honor the men and women of our military who have bravely served or are serving our country.
Thanks to the generous support of Michigan football season ticket holders and fans, as well as a large donation from Toyota, a proud partner of Michigan Athletics, more than 1,000 tickets were made available for veterans and military service members. Tickets were distributed via VetTix.org. Toyota has been a partner with Michigan Athletics and worked on programs such as MGoTroops, Trail To The Victors and Hero of the Game for nearly five years.
Approximately 20 minutes before kickoff, the Black Daggers -- the official U.S. Army special operations command parachute demonstration team -- are scheduled to deliver the game ball by landing in the stadium before the Michigan marching band's pregame show.
During the national anthem, two large American flags will be held on the field by more than 150 U-M faculty, staff, student veterans as well as Toyota military veterans and executives who will represent the U.S. Toyota Veterans Association.
Following the national anthem, a flyover will be conducted by the Michigan National Guard and will include a CH-47 Chinook, a UH-60 Black Hawk and a UH-72 Lakota.
At halftime, the Michigan marching band will perform a special show: D-Day from the Homefront -- honoring America, our veterans and active service members who protect and keep us safe with music from Glenn Miller, Aaron Copland and American traditional songs.
The flag of each military branch, as well as a POW/MIA flag will be flown on the flagpoles around Michigan Stadium, and all veterans and service members will be recognized during the game.
In the third quarter, Bob Jones will be recognized as the Veteran of the Game. Jones graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1965. He flew more than 80 combat missions in Vietnam in the F-4 Phantom when he was shot down in 1968. He spent 62 months as a POW.
Kickoff for Saturday's game against Army is scheduled for 12:01 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on FOX.
