Football game pays tribute to nation’s heroes, concludes Military Emphasis Week

Rockets whizzed up to the sky above Williams Stadium on Saturday, bursting in a red glare, as a patriotic halftime celebration honored U.S. veterans and service members in front of more than 21,700 fans — the second-largest football crowd in Liberty University history. The spectacle punctuated Liberty’s annual Military Emphasis Week.

With over 30,000 service members, veterans, and military spouses studying through Liberty from across the globe, the university is proud to honor those who protect freedom.

Before the game began, a military tailgate on the lawn of the Hancock Welcome Center brought all branches together to enjoy hot food and yard games. Just before kick-off, aerial acrobats parachuted into the stadium and greeted community veterans on the ground. Then Janine Stange, “The National Anthem Girl,” sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Stange has sung the anthem professionally at venues in all 50 states.

The Flames took the field donning special star-spangled LU decals on their helmets.

During the game, the Virginia National Guard presented Liberty with the Defender of Freedom Award for its commitment to being a military supportive institution. President Jerry Falwell and his wife, Becki, received the plaque on behalf of the university.

At halftime, horns blared, drums thundered, and cymbals clashed in patriotic melodies as Liberty’s Spirit of the Mountain Marching Band formed the letters USA, opposite a giant American flag which stretched from sideline-to-sideline. Christian recording artist Charles Billingsley sang “God Bless the USA” and re-enactors brought to life the iconic flag raising at Iwo Jima at midfield. Liberty presented its seventh-annual George Rogers Champion of Freedom Award to faculty member Dr. Charlie Davidson, a retired U.S. Air Force chaplain. (Read Davidson’s story.)

The game ended in a 48-26 loss for the Flames to conference rival Charleston Southern in a battle between two of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision’s top 25.

Highlights of the week, organized by Liberty’s Office of Military Affairs, included a vigil for fallen heroes, a Veterans Day Convocation with Larry the Cable Guy, a reception for the on-campus military community, a memorial trail race, a care package workshop in the Jerry Falwell Library, and a military appreciation hockey game, in which the Flames wore blue camo uniforms. New this year was an effort to increase engagement with Liberty’s online military students; on Thursday, stories of remembrance, recognition, and honor were shared on social media as part of #HonorThem Online Engagement Day, which also included giveaways. (Read these special stories.)