JB Charleston's Honor Guard presents the Colors at Panthers game

by Staff Sgt. Anthony Hyatt
Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

11/14/2012 - JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Joint Base Charleston Honor Guards teamed up to form a Joint Service Color Guard and presented the Colors for a crowd of nearly 74,000 during the Carolina Panthers - Denver Broncos football game Nov. 11, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C.

The Joint Service Color Guard participated in the event as a Veterans' Day tribute and part of the Panther's annual Military Appreciation Day.

"This was an important event to display the honor and professionalism we have here at Joint Base Charleston in support of our great nation and all of its military veterans, past and present," said Chief Petty Officer Eric Combs, JB Charleston - Naval Support Activity Galley Leading CPO.

Maj. Erin Karl, 916th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Officer, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., sang the National Anthem at the game.

"We all had a great time," said Combs. "It was an amazing experience to be on the field with the players and an honor to present the Colors as a joint team representing all branches of the military."

"First and most important, this detail shows respect for veterans from all services," said Tech. Sgt. John Hassell, 628th Force Support Squadron, Joint Base Charleston Honor Guard noncommissioned officer in charge. "Secondly, it reminds everyone that the military still fights and protects our country together, regardless of which branch they belong to."

During the pregame ceremony, the stadium crowd held a moment of silence for prisoners of war and those missing in action, and recognized veterans by hosting an on-field Oath of Enlistment ceremony for local military members to include live video stream of troops in Afghanistan who were re-enlisting into their respective services. The ceremony was led by Brig. Gen. Thomas Gorry, U.S. Marine Corps Installation East commander.

A four-aircraft flyover was also conducted by the Louisiana Air National Guard 159th Fighter Wing from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, La.

The National Football League is honoring veterans and active duty members of the military with its annual Salute to Service campaign. For every point scored during the NFL's 32 designated Salute to Service games, the league will donate $100 to each of its three core military, non-profit partners - Pat Tillman Foundation, United Service Organization and the Wounded Warrior Project.