Several high school football teams in Connecticut are partnering with the National Guard during the month of November to hold Military Appreciation Games in honor of currently serving members of the military and veterans. During the games, players will wear specially designed Connecticut National Guard jerseys that feature a camouflage pattern.
The partnership is being created as part of the Connecticut National Guard’s Hometown Football Uniform program, which aligns currently serving Guardsmen with schools so they can discuss with students the importance and overlap of the Army Values with the values necessary for success in team sports.
Major General Francis Evon, adjutant general of the Connecticut National Guard, says they appreciate the support from the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference. He says most young people are not aware of the benefits and opportunities the Guard can provide them as they live here/serve here, and this is a step in bridging that knowledge gap.
Connecticut residents that are members of the Connecticut Army and Air National Guard, currently serving members of the other branches of the U.S. military, and qualifying veterans receive 100% free tuition to in-state colleges and universities.