Military Appreciation game important to show support for service members

More than 329 million people live in the United States of America.
Yet less than one percent of that population is willing or able to serve in the military, according to ROTC leaders at Utah State University.
For those serving in the military, every day is about honoring those who have served their country, according to Lt. Col. Steven J. Smith, the commander of USU’s Air Force ROTC. Smith said it’s important for every American to recognize the sacrifices made by the military. One way to show support is to go to USU hockey's Military Appreciation game on Friday.
“If an event like this helps the public remember and honor our military, then of course we support it,” Smith said.
Maj. Klint Kuhlman, the head of USU’s Military Science department and the officer over the university’s Army ROTC, said little things like “simply saying ‘Thank you,’” or attending the Aggies’ Military Appreciation night, are huge for those who serve in the military.
“Any time you can bring visibility to the sacrifices our service members make, it’s important,” said Kuhlman, who will be dropping the puck at Friday’s game.
Smith said the military is one of few professions that “offers the government a blank check on what we’re willing to do and sacrifice,” and it’s important for the community to stay engaged with the process.
“It’s a compact,” Smith said. “We agree to serve, you guys agree to make America the awesome place it is. A place worth fighting for.”
Smith said that though people in the military are happy to fight overseas so that Americans can stay home and go about their business, it comes with a price.
“Right outside, there’s a memorial with a list of names on there — of Cache Valley residents and of the old Agricultural College’s alumn — who wrote that blank check,” Smith said. “Their check was cashed.”

The memorial, a statue of a WWI Doughboy surrounded by plaques naming fallen soldiers who were trained at the university or had other ties to the valley, was dedicated on Nov. 11 for Veterans Day. 

 More information about the Military Appreciation game can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2182072152009399/.


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