Tonight’s home game for the Perry varsity football team holds additional significance, as it’s the annual Military Appreciation Night.

In the days leading up to the game, the Perry Booster Club sold shirts as a fundraiser for the Perry American Legion. Members of the Legion will be on hand for the game to present the colors for the National Anthem. Additionally, the Perry Optimist Club donated four American flags for each endzone, and the cheer squad will take part in a 60-second dash through the bleachers at the end of the first quarter to raise additional money.

There will also be a special guest honored at the game, with Perry resident Homer Perkins recognized as the honorary captain. Perkins served in the U.S. Air Force in the 1960’s, and has been an active member of the community since returning from his tours around the world. He’s been heavily involved in Bluejay athletics for the last 40 years, including serving as the crew chief for the football chain crew and as scoreboard operator during basketball season. He also donated the funds for the baseball press box, and has served as the announcer for home games since 1980. The Perry football team pitched in to purchase Perkins one of the Booster Club’s t-shirts to wear on the field.

The gates will open for tonight’s game against Carroll at 5:30 p.m., with kickoff scheduled for 7. As a reminder, you can hear live play-by-play coverage of the game on AM 1310, FM 99.7 KDLS, with pregame starting at 6:30.