Sam Houston State University’s Bearkat Battalion will salute its newest members, as well as veterans and those preparing to deploy, during the first Army ROTC Day at Bowers Stadium on Oct. 3.
The battalion will hand out T-shirts during the game, beginning at 2 p.m. against St. Joseph’s University in Indiana. At halftime, the cadets will march onto the field in formation, and there will be a special recognition of those who have served, or are currently serving in, the military.
“The highlight of that will be that we’re going to announce those (cadets) that we’ve contracted, or earned ROTC scholarships,” said Lt. Col. David Yebra, head of the military science department. “I will administer an oath to them on the field, and then they will rejoin the formation to march off of the field. The ceremony will be built around welcoming them to the battalion.”
Special invitations to the game will be extended to the area junior ROTC cadets, as well as veterans and those preparing to deploy, according ot Yebra.
Before the game, the U.S. Army will have its Medical Operations Adventure Semi for sports fans to tour during the tailgate party, which will begin at noon at Bearkat Alley.
The AS5 displays the Army’s most state of the art medical technology, creates excitement about the Army and generates leads for local recruiters, Yebra said.
The 60-foot tractor/trailer exhibits a MEDEVAC helicopter cutaway, operating room and medical virtual reality, and displays on the combat support hospital, field dental clinic, the Medal of Honor and robotics and future programs
Yebra said he hopes to incorporate new traditions during the inaugural event, including having the cadets stand at attention along the ramp by the flagpole at the end of the game while the school’s alma mater is being played.
“We’re taking to heart the school’s alma mater a little bit more,” Yebra said. “There is a line (in the alma mater) about being tested in battle, so we put part of the alma mater on the T-shirts we will be handing out.”
Tickets are available online at http://www.gobearkats.com for $15 for general admission or $25 for reserved chair-back seats. Children under the age of 5, as well as SHSU faculty, staff and students, are admitted free.
Military personnel, veterans or JROTC members can obtain complimentary tickets by contacting Capt. James Ross, assistant professor of military science, at 936.294.1304.
For more information, call the Military Science Department at 936.294.1306.