Following Veterans Day this past Monday, Clemson will honor the heritage of the women and men who have served in the military with Military Appreciation Week from Nov. 18 through Nov. 23.
“I am so grateful for the courage, sacrifices, and service all our service members and veterans have given while fighting for our values. I’m also incredibly appreciative of Clemson’s AFROTC program for shaping me into a leader who can someday serve those in harm’s way and their families as a military physician once I graduate college and med school,” Nicole Sopala, a senior health sciences major, told The Tiger in an interview.
This year’s Military Appreciation Week calendar consists of numerous events throughout the week up until the Military Appreciation football game taking place on Nov. 23 against The Citadel in Death Valley.
Kicking off the week on Monday, Nov. 18, miniature American flags will be displayed on Bowman Field, and an invite-only military experience seminar will take place at Lee Hall from 4-6:45 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 19 will consist of a veterans entrepreneurship seminar and job fair from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Brook T. Smith Launchpad, open to Clemson’s military-connected community through RSVP.
The events of Wednesday, Nov. 20, include a military appreciation brunch at the Carillon Gardens from 9-11 a.m., also open through RSVP to the military-connected community. From 12-4 p.m., the Scroll of Honor Memorial tours will then take place.
On Thursday, Nov. 21, the public can enjoy a flag-planting demonstration at the Scroll of Honor Memorial, held at 6 p.m., followed shortly by a showing of “Top Gun: Maverick” for a military movie night from 6:30-10 p.m. in the Carillon Gardens.
Friday, Nov. 22, will consist of Scroll of Honor Memorial tours again from 9-11 a.m., Clemson’s national veterans pitch competition from 3-5 p.m. at the Brook T. Smith Launchpad and a demonstration of Pershing Rifles guarding the Memorial.
Saturday, Nov. 23, closes out the eventful week with a jam-packed day. It begins with a military vehicle static display on Bowman Field, an American flag change-out ceremony at approximately 12 p.m. and a sold-out military appreciation tailgate at 12:30 p.m. Finally, Death Valley will host the military appreciation football game with the Clemson Tigers facing off against the Citadel Bulldogs at 3:30 p.m.
The University provides Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs for the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps for students. There is discussion among the Clemson administration of the possible addition of a Navy program.
ROTC has been a part of the University for 108 years, as the first program was established in 1916 by the National Defense Act.
