Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
Clay High School is set to host its second annual Veterans Appreciation Night at the school’s home football game against Napoleon on Friday, Sept. 12. The game begins at 7 p.m., although the reception for the veterans starts at 5:45 p.m. adjacent to the main stadium entrance.
A special aerial tribute in conjunction to the veterans attending the football game will take place, featuring a flyover of F-16 fighters from the Ohio Air National Guard’s 180th Tactical Fighter Wing based at the Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport.
Clay has designated this evening as “Freedom Friday” as students and others are encouraged to wear their red, white, and blue colors.
Vietnam veterans and associates from the greater Toledo Chapter 35 of the Vietnam Veterans of America are assisting in the organization of the event.
Veterans will receive free admission to the football game and be eligible to register for a free drawing for some nice prizes, according to Jerry Eversman, a Clay High School graduate of 1977.
Eversman said veterans will be served subs from Jersey Mike’s along with chips and a drink at the pre-game reception.
A joint-services honor guard is scheduled to lead the veterans onto the playing field prior to the game, behind the American Legion’s Color Guard, for the playing of the national anthem.
Veterans of all branches of service — whether active full-time, reserve, or national guard — are included for this event, along with those men and women presently serving in our armed forces, Eversman said.
“We always like to see the veterans wearing their ball caps showing their branch of service, and I expect there will be some in their uniforms as well,” Eversman said.
Eversman said that Marcy Kaptur, Ohio’s 9th District Congressional Representative, plans on attending the event pending her duties in D.C.
Any businesses or persons wishing to donate any veteran appreciation prizes or gifts for the drawing, can contact Jerry Eversman at 419-266-7776.
