The Jacksonville Jaguars, in conjunction with the NFL, will host the team's annual 'Salute to Service' Military Appreciation Game on Thursday, November 8 vs. the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. and the game will be broadcast nationally on NFL Network and locally on WJXT-TV.
The game is dedicated to the United States Armed Forces and to the men and women who have served and currently serve their country. The Jaguars and several local companies teamed up to donate over 8,000 tickets to the game which will distributed to active, retired and reservist personnel and their dependents.
As part of the NFL's Salute to Service campaign, each player's helmet will feature a decal representing a branch of the military. Players will also be using newly designed gloves, camouflage-branded Gatorade towels and game balls with the NFL shield camo-ribbon logo. In addition, the stadium will feature camouflaged goal post wraps, in-stadium banners and pylon decals with the words "SALUTE TO SERVICE" written on them. Game-used items will be auctioned off at NFL Auction (**www.NFL.com/auction**), with proceeds benefitting the league's core military non-profit partners.
Outside the stadium, there will be military static displays including Marine AAV's, a LUH-72 Lakota helicopter and a SH-60 Seahawk helicopter.
During pre-game, the team will recognize veterans that served during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The team will be led out of the tunnel by Sailors and Marines from Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. A moment of silence will be held, followed by a 21-gun salute conducted by the NAS Jacksonville Honor Support Team.
The national anthem will be led by the Navy Band Southeast and sung by the Jaguars fans. A large American flag will be held by members of the Florida National Guard and 100 members of each branch will be on the field during the anthem. The colors will be presented by a Joint Color Guard and a Vietnam Veterans Color Guard. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and James Hicks, Jr. a wounded warrior and two-time Purple Heart recipient, will serve as honorary captains.
At halftime, a large induction ceremony involving more than 200 recruits from all branches will take place, with the Oath being conducted by Army Brigadier General David MacEwen. Following the induction ceremony, Angie Johnson, a former contestant on NBC's "The Voice" and a member of the Air National Guard, will perform God Bless America.
During the game, wounded warriors from the Jacksonville-based Wounded Warrior Project along with two warriors and their service dogs from K9's for Warriors will be recognized on- field. The Jaguars, the Boot Campaign, and Wells Fargo will give away a mortgage-free home to a veteran.
A special guest from the U.S. Army 1st Ranger Battalion will ring the Jaguars Bell as the game enters the 4th quarter.
