29 Sep 2022 Greenbrier marks Patriot Day with spectacular pre-game program

By Stefanie Brazile

Greenbrier’s True Blue Booster Club organized a stunning pre-game show before the Sept. 9 football game, the second year in a row to commemorate September 11. The six-minute, 28-second ceremony was timed to culminate with a flyover by the Bulldog Flight Formation Team that streamed white smoke overhead as the national anthem played.

“Our community is honoring our veterans, service members and first responders during a time when they’re remembering the tragedy of Sept. 11,” said Mattie Fulmer, president of the True-Blue Booster Club. “It brings awareness to our students and community that we live in a great country and are proud to be Americans.”

The pre-game event was titled Patriot Night, and the flyover was sponsored by the Red, White and Brave Foundation, which First Service Bank founded to benefit veterans and their families. “The foundation reached out and asked how they could help with the event. We appreciate them. It’s a giant community event, and people love to be involved. We work closely with our band director, Jennifer Church, and our Athletic Director, Steve Wood.”

A “spirit train” of vehicles was led into the stadium by four Clydesdale horses pulling the cheerleaders on a cart. The 9th-grade football team stretched a massive flag across the field as a backdrop to the band. After the patriotic ceremony, the band played the National Anthem, and the Bulldog Flight Formation Team did a flyover.

The evening also included fireworks, the high school football team ran onto the field holding American flags, and Veteran Gene Whitley served as an honorary team captain and helped with the coin toss. 

“The Greenbrier community is so proud of our athletes and teams. It’s an honor to help bring them together this way,” Fulmer said. “Our Booster Club team works hard, and I am proud to be part of such a great group of volunteers.”