Military Sea Hawkers President Traci Williams leads the Seahawks onto the field. |
This Sunday is Military Appreciation Day at CenturyLink Field, and the Seattle Seahawks plan to salute active-duty military, reservists, and veterans throughout the pregame festivities.
Scheduled to raise the 12th Man Flag is George Hickman, one of the six known living Tuskegee Airmen in Seattle. As one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, Hickman was among the estimated 992 African-American pilots who were trained at the segregated Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama during World War II. In 2007, he received the Congressional Gold Medal alongside the other living members of the Tuskegee Airman.
The events honoring our nation’s military begins with a reenlistment taking place in the south end zone, new members of the military will be sworn in on the field, and a local soldier will lead the Seahawks out of the southwest tunnel prior to the National Anthem.
Staff Sgt. Angie Johnson & her group Sidewinder perform “Rolling in the Deep” |
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Angie Johnson will sing the national anthem with the Military Sea Hawkers Honor Guard presenting the colors. Johnson is the lead singer for the 571st Air National Guard Band Sidewinder, whose cover of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” has become an internet sensation receiving more than two million views on YouTube. Two veterans will join her on the field to salute the flag.
Nearly 100 members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, and National Guard will be posted along the east sideline, with each group carrying the flag of their respective service.
The festivities will conclude with a flyover by a C-17, courtesy of the 446th Airlift Wing, Air Force Reserve from Joint Base Lewis McChord; the activation of a 52,500-person stadium-card stunt saluting our military service members; and the raising of the 12th Man flag.
USAA (United Services Automobile Association) is sponsoring the game day festivities. Other local establishments are hosting events before and after the game in honor of the military.
Prior to the game, The Hawks Nest Bar and Grill on 1st Avenue is offering 15% off food and beverages to members of the military. This spot can fill up fast on game day, and they have offered to reserve an area for any military members who want to meet there before the game starting between 9 to 10 a.m. Please send an email to events@militaryseahawkers.com with your group size by Friday afternoon and they will set aside as many tables as needed.
There will be a postgame Veteran’s Day celebration at King Street Bar and Oven for members of the Military Sea Hawkers and guests. Members may RSVP by Thursday at 5pm by emailing Brandan Schulze at events@militaryseahawkers.com.
Brandan Schulze is a Navy veteran and member of the military chapter of the Sea Hawkers, the official booster club for the Seattle Seahawks. For more information on the chapter, visitwww.militaryseahawkers.com. Membership is free for all military service members and veterans.