Friday’s football game between DC-G and host Perry at Dewey Field was a special occasion beyond just the thrilling contest on the gridiron, as PHS had declared the evening Military Appreciation Night.
Members of VFW 2060 and American Legion Post 85 were on hand to present the colors, with the Perry Optimist and Lions Clubs combining to fly five flags behind each of the end zones.
The National Guard had an information tent inside the main gates, where information on serving the country, what duties the Guard traditionally serves and more was available, as were an assortment of free handouts. The Guard also sponsored several games at Pete Van Kirk plaza, including cornhole, a football toss and more.
Donations were accepted at the gate for the local American Legion Post, with the Perry cheerleaders passing buckets through the crowd for a 60-second blitz at the end of the first quarter.
The National Guard provided an inflatable tunnel through which the Bluejay team passed before taking the field, and had a golf cart designed to resemble an M1A1 Abrams tank on site. The tank/cart delivered the game ball to the referee at mid-field, with 2018 Perry graduate and Grace Stewart — currently serving in the Guard — handing off the ball.
Fortunately for the grounds crew, the cart weighed in at substantially less than the nearly 70 tons a fully armed Abrams would weigh, with resultant impact on the field and Kaufman Track.
Tom South was named as Honorary Captain for the game. He served in the Army during WWII and is a member of the Perry chapters of both the American Legion and VFW and has been a key presence in the annual PHS Veterans Day program. South spent 39 yards teaching industrial technology at the high school level, with 32 of those years at Perry.
