A host of campus partners have come together to coordinate logistics for the 2022 celebration of Military Appreciation Week at Clemson University. Events are planned for the week of Nov. 9-12, culminating with the Tigers’ Military Appreciation Day football game against Louisville.
A full schedule of events begins on Wednesday, Nov. 9 after students have returned from Fall Break. A kick-off event organized by Staff Senate will be held from 9:30-11 a.m. in Carillon Garden and features remarks from President Jim Clements and Director of Emergency Management Sarah Custer, a United States Air Force veteran.
Events open to the public are denoted on the schedule. One of the most popular each and every year is the planting of American flags at the Scroll of Honor, located across from the East endzone of Memorial Stadium. This year, the planting of 497 flags — symbolizing the number of stones in the Scroll of Honor marked in memory of Clemson alumni who died in service or combat — will take place on Thursday, Nov. 10.
“As we celebrate Military Appreciation Week on campus, my hope is that we look beyond the big celebrations to truly see those we are honoring,” said Emily DaBruzzi, director of the Office of Military & Veteran Engagement. “There are over 1,400 veterans, ROTC cadets and military-connected students at Clemson, and they are the strongest students I know. As a veteran, spouse of a deployed service member, and a military mom, I know first-hand the sacrifices our military community makes for their country. Our office is here to make sure students feel supported as they transition to campus and pursue higher education.”
Understanding a Unique Population of Students
Military & Veteran Engagement works diligently to educate students, faculty and staff on the unique needs of student veterans and the military-connected community. Green Zone Training is offered to a limited number of faculty and staff from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9 in Vickery Hall, with registration required in advance.
Education will extend a step further this year for students in the counselor education master’s program. DaBruzzi has partnered with Amanda Rumsey, a professor who teaches a course entitled “Trauma and Crisis Counseling,” to deliver a military experience seminar from 4-6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9 in Tillman Hall.
Students will hear a keynote address from Ret. Army Col. Dave Rozelle, director of operations for the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs. Afterward, DaBruzzi will be part of an interactive panel featuring student veterans and military-connected students speaking on a wide range of topics, such as combat, deployment, family impact and experiences for females and persons of color.
Tigers for the Troops
The fifth annual Tigers for the Troops golf tournament is set for Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11. The Student Veterans Association hosts the event to raise money toward the Mike M. Smalley memorial scholarship endowment. The event is scheduled from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at The Club at Brookstone in nearby Anderson.
“I’m incredibly proud of the Student Veterans Association and the lasting impact our fundraising has on the military community at Clemson,” said Rachelle Hales, SVA president. “We have partnered with Mike’s family to fund two recurring scholarships that are awarded to student veterans and this year hope to raise enough funds to add a third. We also hope to fund other SVA initiatives and activities that support each of our 74 members and the entire population of student veterans and military-connected students on campus.”
POW/MIA Chair of Honor Dedication
Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations Tony Wagner, a Navy veteran, will join Athletics department officials in the dedication of a special chair of honor for Clemson alumni who were either prisoners of war (POWs) or missing in action (MIAs) on Friday, Nov. 11 from 1-2 p.m. Those interested in attending should enter the East endzone atop the Hill.
“The chair of honor is placed inside the stadium to honor our POWs and MIAs that cannot be with us,” said Ret. Army Lt. Col. Jimmy Mullinax, chairman of Clemson Corps. “We are very excited our three living POWs from Vietnam will all be in attendance.”
Air Force Col. Bill Austin (’59), Navy CDR Bob Fant (’57) and Air Force Lt. Dick Vaughan (’67) will attend Friday’s dedication ceremony.
Clemson Football’s Military Appreciation Day set for Saturday, Nov. 12
Military Appreciation Day is celebrated in Memorial Stadium each November and the game on Saturday, Nov. 12 against the Cardinals has been announced as a 3:30 p.m. kickoff. Bowman Field will be adorned with armored and air defense vehicles and displays throughout the day. Additionally, a private military appreciation tailgate will be held before the game. Scheduled celebrations and activities honoring Clemson’s military community before and during the contest will take place as well.
Fans will also see video of sailors on board USS The Sullivans — who will have been deployed around the world for 342 days on the date of the game against Louisville — displaying Tiger rags and Clemson gear.