FAYETTEVILLE – A pair of decorated Arkansans will be recognized as part of War Memorial Stadium Military Appreciation Day festivities at the Arkansas vs. Samford football game on Saturday night in Little Rock. The Razorbacks will honor the late Adam Brown, a Navy SEAL Chief from Hot Springs, Ark, and Milton Crenchaw, a Little Rock native and original member of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen during halftime of Saturday’s game.
Brown was a 12 year veteran of the United States Navy, with several tours of duty overseas. He was killed in action in Komar Province, Afghanistan on March 17, 2010. The U.S. Forces were engaging the enemy in a fire fight, when a portion of the U.S. soldiers were pinned down by very heavy fire from the enemy compound. In an effort to protect his men, Brown charged the enemy from a better vantage point, drawing fire away from his pinned down comrades. His selfless action relieved the fire on his men, but it unfortunately resulted in Adam being struck by enemy fire. Brown was awarded the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars with Valor and a Purple Heart. Brown is survived by his wife and two children.
Crenchaw was one of the first African Americans in the country, and the first from Arkansas, to be trained by the federal government as a civilian licensed pilot. He trained hundreds of cadet pilots while at Alabama’s Tuskegee Institute in the 1940s and was the catalyst in starting the first successful flight program at Philander Smith College in Little Rock. His combined service record extends for over forty years of federal service with the U.S. Army Air Corps and the U.S. Air Force. Crenchaw was inducted into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame in 1998. On March 27, 2007, he was honored by Governor Mike Beebe for his historic efforts as a Tuskegee flight instructor and service to his country. On March 29, 2007, Crenchaw, along with the other members of the Tuskegee Airmen, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President George W. Bush in Washington D.C. The Tuskegee Airmen are the largest group to ever receive this medal. Crenchaw was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame on October 27, 2007.
Military Appreciation Day will include a variety of different events including a special pre-game ceremony. Arkansas National Guard members will display a large American flag on the field as the Razorback Marching Band plays the “National Anthem.” The “National Anthem” will be followed by the band’s rendition of “America the Beautiful.” In advance of Military Appreciation Day, all military groups are also encouraged to submit photos to neveryieldphotos@gmail.com for use in a special video board presentation during the game.
Razorback Athletics has also teamed up with the University of Arkansas’ Veterans Resource and Information Center (VRIC) to help distribute donated tickets to various military groups to attend the game. Through its game sponsorship, AT&T will provide 100 tickets to military personnel to attend the game. Other specially purchased tickets to the game will be donated to those military groups identified by the VRIC including the Arkansas National Guard, the Little Rock Air Force Base and University of Arkansas student veterans.
On game day, University of Arkansas students sitting in the student section will receive an official Military Appreciation Day rally towel courtesy of Associated Student Government. A display of military equipment will also be featured outside War Memorial Stadium as part of the festivities.
War Memorial Stadium was originally built as a tribute to Arkansans who had given their lives in the service of their country during the two great World Wars. It has grown, over time, as a living tribute to all Arkansans who have served and paid the ultimate price for their country.
Tickets for Saturday’s game are still available for $55 online at ArkansasRazorbacks.com through the Razorback Ticket Office or in person at the War Memorial Stadium Box Office. Fans may also order tickets by calling 1-800-982-HOGS (4647).
Courtesy University of Arkansas Department of Athletics
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