Jets honor servicemembers with military appreciation day

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Monique Randolph
  • Air Force Public Affairs Agency
NEW YORK (AFNS) --  More than 100 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen participated in the New York Jets Military Appreciation Day prior to the football game Nov. 9 at Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey.

The game, played against the St. Louis Rams, kicked off with the unveiling of a giant flag by 60 servicemembers while a Marine Corps Color Guard presented the colors. The U.S. Air Force Academy Band, "Blue Steel," performed the National Anthem as pilots from the New Jersey Air National Guard's 177th Fighter Wing flew a formation of four F-16 Fighting Falcons over the stadium.

"It was spectacular," said Lt. Gen. Dick Newton, deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel at Air Force Headquarters at the Pentagon. "All the services were represented. Not only did we get to watch the game, but we opened up with the Air Force Academy Band (singing) the National Anthem, and we had an F-16 fly-by right at the end of the Anthem. It was truly a great Air Force day at the New York Jets football game."

General Newton also participated in the coin toss at the start of the game.

Airman 1st Class Amanda Bacinski, a member of the 305th Security Forces Squadron at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., helped unveil the flag at the event. She said she was honored and excited about the opportunity to participate, since she just arrived at McGuire two weeks ago from technical training at Lackland AFB, Texas.

Additionally, 12 recruits, three from each branch of service, were given the oath of enlistment by Navy Rear Adm. Terence McKnight, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group Two in Norfolk, Va.

"This is great. I'm not a huge fan of football, but it's very exciting and fun to be here," said Kevin Brewer, an Air Force recruit from West Milford, N.J. "I'm sure I'll remember today as a great way to start my Air Force career."

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