CHARLOTTE, NC — The Carolina Panthers and the USO of NC will be participating in multiple events during the month of November that will ultimately culminate in their annual Salute to Service game on November 13.
According to a release, Carolina Panthers players, coaching staff, TopCats and Sir Purr will join military members and their families at events across the Carolinas to recognize them for their service.
The Carolina Panthers and USO of NC Salute to Service activities will include:
Friday, November 4, 2016
Carolina Panthers and USO of NC High School Salute to Service Game, Gates Open at 5 p.m. — E.E. Smith Golden Bulls vs. 71st Falcons, Lloyd Auman Stadium, Fayetteville, NC. At the first-ever Salute to Service high school football game, the Carolina Panthers bring the Panthers spirit to a deserving high school game as part of the November with the USO of North Carolina. The stadium will feature the Panthers décor and players will wear custom military themed team uniforms. Special guests will include select members of the Carolina Panthers and honorary captains from the U.S. Army stationed at Ft. Bragg, including:
- Lt. Col Daniel Castro
- Staff Sergeant Quincy Jones
- Sergeant First Class Jerome Harper
- First Sergeant Burke Bates
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Monday, November 7, 2016
Pro vs. GI Joe, Media Access at 4 p.m. – Players from the Carolina Panthers take on the troops at Bank of America Stadium’s Gridiron Club – electronically. Some 25 service members will gather for a video game playoff, and deployed troop members also will participate.
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Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Panthers Charlotte-area Military Base Visit, Event begins at 11 a.m. – Select members of the Carolina Panthers, the TopCats and Sir Purr will visit two to three local units around Charlotte. Base schedule to be announced next week.
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Thursday, November 10, 2016
NFL Play 60 Youth Football Camp at 4 p.m. – The Carolina Panthers will host a special session of the NFL Play 60 Youth Football Camp at Bank of America Stadium. Select Carolina Panthers players and coaches will be on hand to provide tips and training. The event is open to children of active duty, military retirees and veterans! All children must be at least 7-12 years old or 1st grade to 5th grade. The Play 60 Camp will feature a variety of fun, high-energy NFL style activity stations designed specifically for kids. Activity stations will test skills in throwing, running, catching and kicking, as well as touchdown celebration dance skills.
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Friday, November 11, 2016
Operation Gameday Military Furlough Weekend — Operation Gameday honors four active duty military member and their guests for the weekend. They will attend practice on Friday morning, tour the stadium and enjoy a weekend in Charlotte, then attend the Carolina Panthers game on Sunday where they will serve as honorary flag runners as the lead the Panthers onto the field.
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Sunday, November 13, 2016
Salute to Service Military Appreciation Game – For this annual spectacular military tribute at Bank of America Stadium, the USO of North Carolina will honor the country’s active duty service members and military veterans with:
- 230 military members from around the Carolinas participating in the pre-game ceremony
- Chaplain (CPT) Tommy Crain, Support Battalion Chaplain, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) will give the Invocation
- Joint Color Guard from around the Carolinas
- 30 military members from around the Carolinas participating in pregame ceremony
- 46 Fallen Heroes to be honored at the game and their families will be present and recognized during the game
- Operation Gameday Attendees will attend and lead players out of tunnel
- Crystal and Talon Blasjo, family of SGT Aaron Blasjo, who was killed in action in 2011, will be honored as the Carolina Panthers Salute to Service Family. Talon Blasjo will participate in the coin toss
- The guests at the USO of North Carolina/Carolina Panthers Row of Honor will be all Vietnam veterans
- The USO of North Carolina will have two Vietnam veterans volunteers in attendance
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Friday, November 18, 2016
Carolina Panthers Reenlistment Ceremony, Event at 2 p.m. – Bank of America Stadium will serve as the backdrop as members of the nation’s military re-enlist to serve their country.
