Clemson hosts Military Appreciation Week Nov. 6-11

The Clemson University campus community is coming together Nov. 6-11 in celebration of the school’s military heritage and tradition as part of Military Appreciation Week 2023. Events are planned throughout the week, culminating with the Tiger football team’s home game against Georgia Tech.

Students, faculty, staff and guests can anticipate a week of impactful programming that contributes to a military-friendly campus, such as Green Zone Training for employees; events that honor Clemson’s military history, such as flag planting at the Scroll of Honor Memorial; and celebrations to honor members of the community, such as the Marine Corps birthday. The events conclude with a full day of activities on Bowman Field and in Memorial Stadium as part of Military Appreciation Day. Events open to the public are denoted in the schedule.

“I’m incredibly excited for Military Appreciation Week,” says Director of Military & Veteran Engagement and U.S. Navy veteran Emily DaBruzzi. “As we continue to enhance support and services to veterans and our military community, this week highlights the large-scale collaborative effort among many campus entities to honor those who have served.”

It begins Monday, Nov. 6 when miniature flags representing the United States and its branches of the military are displayed on Bowman Field near the Military Heritage Plaza. One of the highlights of the week is a military appreciation brunch, held from 9-11 a.m. on Nov. 7 in Hendrix Student Center. President Jim Clements will deliver remarks, as well as keynote speaker Marion Collins (U.S. Army retired).

A private military experience seminar will take place in Amanda Rumsey’s counseling classroom for a second straight year in the afternoon of Nov. 7. Jane Dyer, a member of the Clemson Corps board of directors and Clemson graduate of the Air Force ROTC program, is the featured speaker. She will be joined by others in the Clemson military community, who will be sharing their experiences both in the armed forces and in higher education.

DaBruzzi hopes members of the campus community will make plans to tour the Scroll of Honor Memorial on Nov. 8. The Student Veterans Association is hosting members of the public and sharing about the history of the memorial and what it represents. The following evening, Nov. 9, individuals will plant American flags around the memorial in an annual celebration.

Military Appreciation Day is designed as a full day of celebration on main campus. It includes static displays of military vehicles on Bowman Field, an American flag exchange ceremony performed by the Pershing Rifles (four hours prior to kickoff) and an invitation-only military appreciation tailgate (three and a half hours prior to kickoff).

New this year, a French Legion of Honor ceremony for Capt. Joe Jones—a Clemson graduate and 100-year-old veteran of World War II—is scheduled in the Military Heritage Plaza two and a half hours prior to kickoff. The Legion of Honor medal will be bestowed from Anne-Laure Desjonquéres, Consul General of France.

Pregame and in-game celebrations have been planned by Clemson Athletics, including parachute jumps, video messages from deployed units, and recognitions of gold star families, service members, military VIPs and the 25^th anniversary of Clemson Corps. Halftime will also feature a joint performance from the Clemson and Georgia Tech bands, as well as the traditional playing of TAPS and a 21-gun salute.