MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — For the 44th year, Middle Tennessee State University will honor veterans and military members during the annual Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces Game on Saturday, Sept. 19.
The Blue Raider football team will square up against the Nevada Wolfpack at 6 p.m. in Floyd Stadium, but before kickoff, the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center has a full afternoon of events planned to honor those who have served.
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., shakes hands with World War I reenactors at the 2025 Veterans Village picnic in Walnut Grove ahead of the Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces football game at Floyd Stadium. This year’s Vet Village is set for 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. (MTSU file photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)
Remembering the fallen
“I am appreciative at MTSU that we have the longest running ‘Salute’ football game in the nation, and that we always start the day’s activities by remembering our military and our fallen,” said Daniels Center Director Hilary Miller.
This year’s Veterans Memorial Service returns to the historic Tom H. Jackson Building at 1:30 p.m., where the MTSU Veterans Memorial is located.
“With this year being the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we are focusing on the War of Independence and our first American veterans. We will also present the Nunley Award,” said Miller.
The annual Joe Nunley Distinguished Veteran Award is presented annually during the service as part of MTSU’s Salute to Veterans game and celebrates the career of World War II U.S. Army veteran and MTSU alum Joe Nunley. This year’s recipient of the Nunley Award is “Mobile Phil” LaPrad, an Air Force veteran who has dedicated his time to mobility assistance for veterans.
A young man does pullups at the U.S. Marines informational booth while officers look on at Middle Tennessee State University’s 2025 Veterans Village event in Walnut Grove ahead of the Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces football game at Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tenn. This year’s Vet Village is set for 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. (MTSU file photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)
‘Vet Village’
Following the ceremony, “Veterans Village” opens at 2:30 p.m. in Walnut Grove. Named for the barracks-style housing built on campus after World War II to accommodate returning soldiers, every year the Daniels Center erects tents and sets up tables for a complimentary picnic, while supplies last, in honor of the military appreciation game.
“All students and community members are welcome,” emphasized Daniels Center Assistant Director Chris Rochelle. “Veterans Village does not mean that you have to be a veteran or military-connected. It means the community of people who come together to support the military. … It just means we are one big family and community, and we want you to know that you’re welcome.”
Pick up complimentary tickets, find resources, activities and camaraderie in ‘Vet Village’ ahead of the beloved Blue Raider tailgating tradition, Party in the Grove, which, in line with the ‘Salute’ activities, will feature the 129th Army Band as well as Ceron Mays and the AMASYN Band beginning at 3 p.m.
For information about the Vet Village, email Rochelle at [email protected].
Military Parade
Veterans, service members and members of the Reserve Officer Training Corps are invited to meet at Gate 2A at the end of the second quarter to walk the field in MTSU’s Halftime Military Parade.
“This incredible university continues to demonstrate impressive recognition of the service and sacrifice of our military and their precious families,” said retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives, who joined the university after almost four decades of service.
“This is our 44th year hosting a military appreciation game, the longest in NCAA history. I am forever thankful for MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and his support of our Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center, where any military-connected individual can seek and receive assistance without any requirement for an MTSU affiliation.”
According to MTSU Athletics, highlights of the game include a pregame flyover by MTSU’s Professional Pilot program, a game-ball drone delivery by MTSU’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations Program, military recognition throughout the game, and a variety of static displays around the stadium.
— Cat Curtis Murphy ([email protected])
1:30 p.m. — Veterans Memorial Service at the Tom H. Jackson Building
2:30 p.m. — Vet Village at Walnut Grove
3 p.m. — Party in the Grove at Walnut Grove
3:30 p.m. — Band of Blue & Raider Walk at Walnut Grove
4 p.m. — Ceron Mays & the AMASYN Band / 129th Army Band at Walnut Grove
5:30 p.m. — Follow Me To Floyd from Walnut Grove to Floyd Stadium
6 p.m. — MTSU Blue Raiders kickoff against the Nevada Wolfpack in Floyd Stadium
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