THROGGS NECK, N.Y. (Oct. 4, 2012) – This Saturday, Oct. 6, the Maritime football program will be honoring the Armed Forces of the United States of America with a very special celebration of Military Appreciation Day. The events of the day will begin around 11 a.m. and proceed throughout the day in conjunction with Privateers' ECFC conference contest against Becker College, which is slated for a 1 p.m. kickoff. There will be numerous interactive activities for fans that will continue throughout the afternoon, and it's all free and all at Reinhart Field right on the campus of SUNY Maritime College.
At 11 a.m., there will be a pregame concert by a Navy Band on the black asphalt area near the baseball field at Reinhart Field. During the pregame, closer toward game time, there will be a special ceremony on the field beginning with the Fordham University Army ROTC Honor Guard unfurling a large American Flag and the Maritime College NROTC Color Guard presenting the flags of Military Service Branch. Each branch of the U.S. Military will be honored with the playing of the respective service hymns by the Maritime Pep Band and then a moment of silence will be held to honor the servicemen and women that have sacrificed their lives for their country.
After the Maritime College Chorus' performance of the National Anthem, which will be accompanied by the spraying of water by FDNY Water Boats in the East River just off the field, there will be a very special presentation at midfield. The Long Island-based, non-profit Building Homes for Heroes (BHH) and JP Morgan Chase will award a fully renovated, mortgage-free home to Marine Corps veteran Jeremy Kelley and his family.
The Maritime football program has also invited former three-time team captain Joe Becker of the Class of 2008 to be the honorary coin flipper at the pregame coin toss. Becker is a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the United States Navy and recently returned home to the United States from Camp Arifjan in Kuwait.
During halftime of the game, the Saffron United Pipe Band based out of Babylon, N.Y., will put on a special performance on the field. The band, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, has won numerous awards, including being awarded the Best Pipe Band Trophy in the NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade 15 times, while also competing in the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.
Joining SUNY Maritime to celebrate Military Appreciation Day will be members from all of the Armed Services as well as Veteran Service Organizations. There will be informational booths and tables set up for those in attendance with details about programs for veterans and active-duty personnel, as well as SUNY Maritime College's undergraduate and graduate programs. There will also be numerous other information booths with giveaways for organizations including Hope for the Warriors, The Wounded Warrior Project, The Maritime Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and many others. Interactive displays for fans include an Army Humvee, a Navy Recruiting Suburban vehicle, USMC tactical weapons, a New York Naval Militia Patrol Boat and rescue material from the New York Air National Guard, 106 Rescue Wing.
Head Coach Clayton Kendrick-Holmes will also be appearing on The Voice 1460AM Westchester Radio early on Friday morning for an interview and to promote Military Appreciation Day. The interview will take place during the morning rush hour drive at 6:30 a.m. Tune in on your radio dial in the Westchester/New York City Tri-State area or listen live online by following this link and clicking the "Listen Live" button on the top right corner.
Throughout the game on Saturday, the Maritime Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will be selling "Military Appreciation Day" t-shirts for $10. The proceeds from the sale of the t-shirts will be donated to Building Homes for Heroes.
Admission is free to all of the day's events. For more information regarding Military Appreciation Day, click here, or contact the Maritime Football Office at 718-409-7760.