A Salute to Service
The Jacksonville Jaguars' annual military appreciation game takes place this Sunday at EverBank Field when the Jaguars host the Houston Texans at 1 p.m. The Jaguars are committed to year-round support of these local heroes, but call special attention to their sacrifices during the National Football League's annual Salute to Service campaign.
The Jaguars, alongside generous corporate and individual donors, have partnered with the Greater Jacksonville Area USO to provide complimentary tickets to 5,000 active, retired and reservist military personnel and their families to this Sunday's game. In addition, Jaguars players, coaches, cheerleaders and staff are participating in a multitude of appreciation events throughout the week. Players have already visited Naval Station Mayport and Naval Air Station Jacksonville earlier this week to meet local servicemen and women and say thank you. During the Salute to Service game, players will wear camouflaged-themed on-field apparel. Jaguars player helmets will also feature a special decal that represents one of the five branches of the military.
Pregame performances
Fans are encouraged to be in their seats early as the Jaguars honor our local military with a special musical performance and flyover, which will be carried live on the CBS broadcast. The national anthem will be performed on Sunday by Navy Band Southeast. On hand to interpret for the hearing impaired is current member of the ROAR, Kinsey Radloff. The colors will be presented by a joint-service color guard. In honor of the NFL's Military Appreciation Month, there will be 150 servicemen and women holding a large American field flag during the national anthem. They will be accompanied by members of Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 524.
Providing Sunday's flyover will be the 2nd Fighter Training Squadron, American Beagles, out of Tyndall Air Force Base. It is one of only two U.S. Air Force T-38 Talon adversary squadrons and is tasked to provide world class, professional air-to-air threat replication in support of F-22 Raptor combat and formal training squadrons. Flying the lead aircraft is Maj. Matt "NORDO" Bolton. Flying the wing aircraft is 1st Lt. Kevin "KINO" McKeown and 1st Lt. Brian Miller. The ground controller is Maj. John "2PAK" Stukavec.
Military honorees
The Jaguars will continue their traditional game day military honors by recognizing the Hometown Hero and the 4th Quarter Bell Ringer. This week's Veteran of the Game is retired Navy Rear Admiral Victor Guillory. After 35 years of service, Guillory retired in 2011 and was appointed Director of Military Affairs and Veterans Services for the City of Jacksonville. During his service, the city earned the National City of the Year Award for programs and services dedicated to improving the lives of military Veterans and their families.
In addition, the City of Jacksonville and the Jaguars annually recognize a special group of veterans during pregame festivities of the military appreciation game. Mayor Lenny Curry will accompany this year's honorees who are female veterans from the local Jacksonville area. They include Lori Garland, Delores Quaranta, Jacqueline Illingworth, Eugenia Noceda Reed, Lisa Crutch and Diane Lockhart.
New recruits commit to country
Halftime at this Sunday's Salute to Service game will feature a special on-field mass enlistment ceremony. More than 200 recruits enlisting in all five branches of the U.S. military will take the oath of enlistment as administered by Army Brig. Gen. Joseph Calloway, director, Officer Personnel Management Directorate. The ceremony will be followed by a patriotic performance of God Bless America by Navy Band Southeast.
Jags fans at the fair
The last day to attend the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair is this Sunday, Nov. 13. Jaguars fans can visit the fair for free by showing their game ticket before or after the game. The fair is open on Sunday from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. Parking lots P and R will be closed on game day. Fans with parking passes in those lots have already been relocated for this game. Fans with parking in lots M or N should plan to arrive early due to road closures around the fair. For more questions about the fair, please visit www.jacksonvillefair.com.
Game day timeline
10 a.m. Ticket office opens (North End Zone between Gates 2 and 3)
10 a.m. Fan Entertainment Zone opens (East plaza near Gate 4)
11 a.m. EverBank Field seating bowl and all gates open
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. The ROAR autographs (Fan Entertainment Zone)
11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. Alumni player autographs (Fan Entertainment Zone)
12:50 p.m. The PROWL (South End Zone below Bud Light Party Zone)
1:00 p.m. National anthem and flyover
1:04 p.m. Kickoff
