The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will be named a Purple Heart–designated university Saturday at the UT vs. Arkansas State game.
UT is the first school in the state of Tennessee to receive this designation and one of only six in the nation.
The designation is made by the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Department of Tennessee, and is based on the university’s commitment to veterans and the military.
Robert Hunt, state commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, will present the designation to UT Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek on the field at the game. Maj. Gen. Max Haston, adjutant general for the state of Tennessee, will also be part of the presentation.
Several events are planned for Saturday’s Military Appreciation Game, including a military-themed halftime show.
The Pride of the Southland Band will pay tribute to the military with their performance, which will be accompanied by country music icon Lee Greenwood. The performance will also pay tribute to several Medal of Honor recipients who will be present at the game and will be celebrated during the 2014 Medal of Honor Convention, set for September 10 through 13 in Knoxville. Also this week, the campus will host a town hall meeting featuring Medal of Honor recipients at Cox Auditorium in the Alumni Memorial Building, 1408 Middle Drive, at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 12.
Several members of the Wounded Warriors Project will also attend Saturday’s game.
At Gate 21, fans will have the opportunity to express their appreciation for our country’s men and women in uniform by signing and writing messages of appreciation on an eight by twenty-four foot banner that reads “Thank You Military” and includes the five logos of the branches of the military.