The annual tailgate and football game — the largest military appreciation celebrations in the Big Ten — kick off Penn State’s Military Appreciation Week recognizing the service and sacrifice of past and current service members and their families. In addition to food, entertainment and a resource fair, this year, Penn State supporters funded more than 6,300 football tickets through the Seats for Servicemembers program enabling active and retired military members to attend the Oct. 27 game at no cost.
Veteran in leather jacket
The Military Appreciation Tailgate is prepared to serve up to 10,000 veterans, service members and their families.
Michael del Rosario at the Military Appreciation Tailgate
Michael del Rosario (left), a retired captain in the U.S. Army and Walmart general transportation manager, takes a lead role helping to organize the tailgate and is one of nearly 500 volunteers who help make the event possible.
Todd Bacastow at the Military Appreciation Tailgate
Todd Bacastow, Vietnam-era veteran and teaching professor in the Department of Geography at Penn State, cofounded the Military Appreciation Tailgate in 2013.
Stan Aungst at the Military Appreciation Tailgate
Stan Aungst (left), Vietnam-era veteran and emeritus senior lecturer of Information Sciences and Technology at Penn State, cofounded the Military Appreciation Tailgate in 2013.
2017 Military Appreciation Tailgate
The annual tailgate and football game — which kick off Penn State’s Military Appreciation Week recognizing the service and sacrifice of past and current service members and their families — are the largest military appreciation celebrations in the Big Ten.
Army Mil Appreciation-117National Guard Band
Members of the Army National Guard 28th Division Keystone Brass band performed during the 2015 Military Appreciation Tailgate prior to the Penn State vs. Army football game.
Military hats
The tailgate is an opportunity to honor the fallen and their families and to recognize their service and sacrifice.
Attendees in line for food at 2014 Military Appreciation Tailgate
Attendees in line at the 2014 Military Appreciation Tailgate at the Pegula Ice Arena. In 2018, more than 500 volunteers will arrive at the Bryce Jordan Center on the University Park campus in waves beginning at 6 a.m. and will devote their days to greeting attendees at the door, assisting Wounded Warriors, serving food and more.
Walmart truck
Walmart has become the lead donator of food and supplies for the event, bringing in 24,000 burgers, hotdogs, brats and pieces of chicken; 8,000 cookies; several thousand bags of chips; and pallets of bottled water and soda on two 53-foot-long tractor trailers.
