TROY – Since 2000, Troy University has honored the men and women of the U.S. military at one home football game in November as a Veterans Day tribute. This year’s “Salute to Veterans” scheduled for the Nov. 18 Trojans’ game with Arkansas State, will add a new twist to the tradition.

This year’s salute will emphasize the University’s recently launched campaign to identify and thank current students, alumni, faculty or staff members—or members of their immediate families— who are currently serving in the military, according to Janice Hawkins, TROY’s first lady.

“Troy University wants the world to know that it values the service of our men and women in the armed forces,” said Mrs. Hawkins, who chairs a university military appreciation committee. “Our tribute at the game on Nov. 18 is part of this larger effort.”

The tribute, scheduled for halftime of the football game, includes a special show by TROY’s “Sound of the South” Marching Band. The centerpiece of the annual tribute is the playing of the songs of each branch of the service. Personnel currently serving in the military and veterans in the audience will be asked to stand and be recognized when the song representing their branch of the service is played.

More than 2,000 active-duty personnel from Fort Rucker and Maxwell Air Force Base will be special guests of the University that day. In addition, the video message board in Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium will feature photographs, videotape and information regarding Trojans currently serving in the military. Members of Troy University’s Army and Air Force ROTC units will present the colors in pre-game ceremonies.

The University is identifying Trojans on active duty through a  special link to the University’s website www.troy.edu/, which includes a message to the troops from Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Jr., accompanied by a form that Trojans in military service can complete to update their contact information. Trojans serving in combat zones as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom will receive a special gift from the University.

Troy University operates teaching sites on approximately 25 military bases outside of Alabama as part of it University College division, which is composed of locations in 16 U.S. states and 13 sites outside the United States. In addition, Troy University serves active-duty enlisted soldiers through eArmyU, the U.S. Army’s distance-education program.

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