Kentucky Football’s Salute to Veterans Set for Saturday
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky football will host its annual Salute to Veterans on Saturday as the Wildcats take on Georgia at 3:30 p.m.
Remembering Our Fallen – a photographic war memorial that honors America’s military Fallen from The War on Terror (Sept. 11, 2001-present) – will be set up outside Kroger Field between gates 1 and 2 on Friday. It will remain in place until Sunday at 4 p.m. so fans in attendance at Saturday’s game can pay tribute. This was made possible by Coca-Cola, the sponsor for the Georgia game.
More than 150 Gold Star family members will be in attendance representing 42 fallen heroes. The term “Gold Star” describes a family member who has lost a loved one in military service. These family members will be on the field as part of the national anthem. During the national anthem, the names of every Kentuckian and Georgian fallen since Sept. 11, 2001 will scroll Kroger Field video boards. At the conclusion of the anthem, there will be a flyover by the 37th Training Squadron from Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi.
Army Specialist Brett Bondurant will join team captains and game officials for the coin toss. At halftime, a Quilt of Valor will be presented by Sue Schwab from Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, to SFC Brett E. Meadows of the U.S. Army and UK Army ROTC.
Before the game, Marine Corporal Matthew Bradford will join Mark Stoops and the Wildcats for the Cat Walk presented by Chevy. The team will be led onto the field by flags from each branch of military service, as well as a POW/MIA flag. Family of 13 of the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s 16 POW/MIA will be in the field pregame as part of “My Old Kentucky Home.”
In addition, four Chairs of Honor are being dedicated this week inside Kroger Field by Rolling Thunder. Chairs of Honor are empty black stadium chairs with a plaque dedicating each one to the soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, have been held Prisoner of War, are listed as Missing in Action and those currently serving.
These Chairs of Honor will be located in each corner of the upper concourse of Kroger Field. Fans are encouraged to stop by and learn about the chairs and meet Rolling Thunder representatives. Rolling Thunder is a non-profit organization dedicated to publicizing the POW/MIA issue.
Kickoff for the game between No. 9 Kentucky and No. 6 Georgia will be at 3:30 p.m. on CBS. While the Georgia game is sold out, verified resale tickets are still available online through Ticketmaster.com.
