Retired Montague music teacher Jacquie Wood was thrilled with the
way her first Wildcat Salute, an event prior to the Montague football
game against Manistee, came out last October, apart from the weather -
"cold and miserable," Wood said.
This year's event should help
remedy that drawback, as it will take place for the Wildcats' home
opener Sept. 6 against Oakridge. It should make this year's Salute even
more enjoyable.
Wood, who was well-known locally for her
annual patriotic concerts during her time at Montague, launched the
Salute last year as a way to honor veterans, active-duty military,
police, firefighters and first responders. She said she'd never have had
the time to pull the event together were she not retired, but finds the
work very rewarding.
"It's always fun to honor people who are
deserving," Wood said. "It's wonderful, and I love the opportunity to
honor them. More importantly, we are teaching our children to honor them
and realize they're doing things for you that you'll often overlook."
Wood
regularly meets with Montague athletic director Jay Mulder to plan this
year's activities. Mulder said he felt like the Wildcat athletes got a
boost from the original Salute, noting the game against the Mariners was
likely the team's best of the season.
"The reception we got
was great, and the kids really loved it," Mulder said. "That sort of
gave our team a bit of a boost. This year Jacquie really got going on it
early and set the date, I think, six months ago."
The pregame
salute will begin at 6 p.m. prior to the 7 p.m. game, with gates
opening at 5. All honorees are admitted free and are encouraged to
attend the game in uniform if they choose.
The pregame
ceremony will consist of a motorcycle parade, a Quilt of Valor ceremony,
a color guard, and a POW/MIA table ceremony. Both teams will also be
able to participate in a handshake line with the honored guests.
Displays
from military and first responders will also be part of the festivities
and shown off in the circle drive in front of the Townsend Complex.
Wood said the Hooligan Flight Team will also perform a flyover prior to
the game. She is also hopeful there will be a parachutist to deliver the
game ball to the field, but that is dependent on a lack of wind.
The
Hometown Hero honoree will return as well. Last year, the late Jack
Woller, a Montague alum who died while serving in the Vietnam War,
received the award posthumously, and this year, Wayne Schneider will be
honored. Wood said Schneider graduated from Montague during the 1950s
and served in the U.S. Navy, including a tour in the Philippines.
"He has so many stories, and is just wonderful to talk to," Wood said of Schneider.
Wood
looks forward to the Minute of Change, an in-game event where Montague
will collect donations for local veterans organizations. She was wowed
by last year's fundraising, which drew a big response despite the poor
weather limiting the crowd.
"Even though there were so few
people, we made quite a bit of money," Wood said, adding with a laugh,
"People were putting in $20s."
The Montague student section
will get in on the act as well, with a patriotic theme set for the game.
It should all add up to a memorable evening.
"If you've
ever needed an ambulance or a fireman, you know they can save your lives
and that they're heroes," Wood said. "That goes without saying. I think
people really want to honor them. I'm excited."
