Search News Archives
Filter News Articles
Military Emphasis Week concludes with patriotic halftime show
November 8, 2014 : By Office of Communications & Public Engagement
Fireworks thundered overhead as a red, white, and blue clad audience at Williams Stadium on Saturday sang along to the final lines of “God Bless the USA” in recognition of military service members, veterans, and their families as part of Liberty University’s Military Appreciation Day football halftime show.
The spectacular presentation, which included a 50-yard American flag and a reenactment of U.S. Marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima on Feb. 23, 1945, was the exclamatory finale to Liberty’s annual Military Emphasis Week, sponsored by the university’s Office of Military Affairs.
For the Big South Conference game against Monmouth, the host Flames Football team wore special American Flag “LU” helmets to complement their red and blue uniforms. (Liberty defeated the Hawks 34-24. Visit www.Liberty.edu/Flames for full game coverage.)
The halftime show included a guest appearance by “the boy from Omaha beach” who struck the same saluting pose that he held for an hour and a half at the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Normandy Invasion in June. A video documenting his show of patriotism was posted on YouTube and has nearly 1.5 million views. Liberty’s Spirit of the Mountain Marching Band performed a patriotic salute and flags were presented by the university’s joint ROTC color guard.
During halftime, Oliver North (who was the featured speaker for Convocation on Wednesday) was celebrated as this year’s recipient of the George Rogers Champion of Freedom Award, given annually to a veteran who displayed extraordinary heroism while serving.
Christian recording artist Charles Billingsley closed the festivities with a powerful rendition of “God Bless the USA.”
Prior to the game, Liberty hosted a military tailgate on the front lawn of the Hancock Welcome Center. Liberty also dedicated a POW-MIA Chair of Honor at the top of section 101 in Williams Stadium, a seat that will remain unoccupied in remembrance of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The seat was presented by Rolling Thunder Chapter 4 Virginia.
Earlier in the morning, Student Activities hosted the Valley View 5 Miler race for military appreciation. All service members and veterans who completed the race were presented with a special challenge coin.
Military-themed events throughout the week celebrated liberty and honored military service, including a night of remembrance for our fallen heroes on Monday night.
