The Jacksonville Jaguars' annual Military Appreciation Game, presented by Sea Best, will take place on Sunday, Nov. 29 when the Jaguars host the San Diego Chargers at EverBank Field at 1 p.m. The National Football League's Salute to Service program features local recognition of military personnel at one home game for each of the league's 32 teams.
"We are very proud of the military personnel and their families who make up such a large part of the Jacksonville-area community," Jaguars President Mark Lamping said. "Their service on behalf of all of us is appreciated year-round, but in particular we want to always make sure we say thank you through our military appreciation efforts and our annual Salute to Service game.
"The Jaguars and the USO are also proud to honor Congressman Ander Crenshaw, a Jacksonville native, for his tireless work on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee supplying much-needed resources to our men and women in uniform. Congressman Crenshaw is a true advocate to our Military personnel here locally as well as across the entire nation. We look forward to having a real celebration of the military community on Nov. 29, and we anticipate a great, patriotic crowd helping cheer on the Jaguars against the Chargers."
Ander Crenshaw, Member of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, said, "The First Coast can be proud of its long-standing military tradition. The servicemen and women who selflessly devote themselves to our national security here, across the country, and around the globe have my full support always. Thank you to the Jaguars for putting them front and center for the recognition they deserve."
"As the official community partner of the Jaguars, Florida Blue is honored and excited to once again be part of the Military Appreciation game," said Darnell Smith, Florida Blue Market President. "It's always special to recognize Jacksonville's service members. We are proud to support our many employee veterans year round through an employee resource group that provides support and leadership opportunities for veterans, both in the workplace and in the community. Through the Veterans Economic Community Initiative, we are helping veterans find jobs by connecting them with local businesses and ensuring they always have a place to call home. It's great to come together for a day to show appreciation to our veterans while joining in the common mission of a Jags win!"
The Jaguars have had a long-standing partnership with the Greater Jacksonville Area USO. This partnership helps provide much-needed resources for the USO to support those in the Jacksonville area who serve and defend our country. The Jaguars garner support for the USO each year for their Salute to Service game, with all donations tax-deductible and going directly to the USO. To support this cause fans may visit http://jaguarssalutetoservice.com/.
Among the many ways in which the Jaguars will honor active duty military and veterans are complementary game tickets provided to all military personnel and their dependents; military field flag holders and military national anthem singer; a flyover by the Black Diamond Jet team, a civilian group comprised of military veterans; Hometown Hero recognition of a local military hero; Veteran of the Game honoring a local veteran; Wounded Warrior recognition; an on-field mass induction ceremony during halftime, and Military Bell ringer who rings in the start of the fourth quarter.
In the 2014 season the Jaguars and several local companies, teamed up to donate over 7,000 tickets to the Military Appreciation Game. These tickets were distributed to active, retired and reservist military personnel, veterans, and their dependents.
