HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — The second week of September has a significant meaning for Americans.
The Veterans Warhawks work hard to honor the lives of those lost during 9/11, and those who served overseas.
They’re taking it a step further this year.
“With Sept. 13 being so close to 9/11, we felt this Perry game on Sept. 13 to be the perfect way to give back to the community from the football side and from the military side,” Kevin Spano said.
Spano is the Vice Chairman of the Touchdown Club, and rose to the rank of Senior Master Sergeant during his 23 years of service with the U.S. Military. His son, Jaiden, is a senior offensive lineman on Veterans’ football team.
Jaiden and the Warhawks are hosting Perry on Friday for Military Appreciation Night, and this year, the game will feature a flyover from the Robins Air Force Base.
Also, Spano and his son will lead Veterans out onto the field before the game.
Spano said it will be a special moment for his family.
“That's the heart strings there,” he said. “I've been on the sidelines every game he's ever played since he was a little boy.”
This is the final year the father-and-son duo will be part of the Military Appreciation Night tradition, as Jaiden will graduate at the end of the year.
“This being his senior year, we’ve got a few left,” Spano said. “So we’ll run out and lead the team this year, just like we did last year. This is our last ride. It’s been great to watch him grow up and become the young man that he is.”
More than just him and his father, Jaiden also said this was a chance to give back to the military community.
“Considering that a lot of kids at Veterans and on the football team are military kids, it's just kind of to highlight the kids that move around a lot with their military families and all that,” Jaiden said. “Letting them know that they're not alone in it.”