MURFREESBORO, TN - Excitement is building at Middle Tennessee State University as the campus prepares for the 43rd annual Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces game. For Don Witherspoon, a former U.S. Marine Corps Captain, this year’s celebration is especially meaningful. “It’s particularly important since it’s the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps,” Witherspoon said, reflecting on the significance of the event. This Saturday (11/8/2025), MTSU invites all veterans, active-duty personnel, and their families to join the festivities. The Blue Raiders will face off against Conference USA rival Florida International University at 2 p.m. in Floyd Stadium. Complimentary tickets for veterans and their families

The Salute to Veterans is a Blue Raider tradition tied to Veterans Day, observed nationwide on Nov. 11. Led by the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center and Blue Raider Athletics, the event honors those who have served. The day begins with a Veterans Memorial ceremony, where Bill Kampbell, a Marine Corps veteran, will receive the Joe Nunley Sr. Award. Activities continue with a picnic, Vet Village, and performances by the MTSU Band of Blue and a U.S. Army band. Gates open at 12:30 p.m., and fans can look forward to a drone delivering the game ball to midfield before kickoff. 

For Witherspoon, who graduated from MTSU in 1964 and served in the Marines, the event is a point of pride. ROTC cadets will also participate, connecting with veterans and learning from their experiences. The day features a new Blue Raider military merchandise store and a canned food drive benefiting the MTSU Student Food Pantry and Nourish Food Bank.

MTSU’s Salute to Veterans is more than a game—it’s a celebration of service, community, and “True Blue” spirit.