Remembering

Flyover to highlight Calumet\\\'s military and first responder tribute

CALUMET -- Calumet Copper King Athletics is recognizing the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks with a Military and First Responders Appreciation Night during tonight’s Copper Kings football game against the Negaunee Miners.

"It's our Military and First Responders Appreciation night on the 25th anniversary of 9/11," said Patrick Dwyer, assistant principal and athletic director at CLK Schools. "We will be showing our appreciation for veterans and first responders with a Blackhawk flyover provided by the Michigan Army National Guard during the national anthem."

Dwyer said the Michigan Army National Guard was asked if they would be willing to send an aircraft north for the game, and the Guard readily agreed. They are sending three UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, along with an 11-member crew from the Third Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment, out of Grand Ledge, he said. According to Dwyer, five of the crew members are graduates of Michigan Technological University.

One of the National Guard pilots navigating the Blackhawk over Agassiz Field will be Jensen Schneiderhan, a 2019 graduate of Calumet High School and the son of Amy and Edward Schneiderhan, Dwyer said. After graduating from Calumet, Schneiderhan completed aviation maintenance training at Western Michigan University before earning his wings with the National Guard.

"Two (blackhawks) will fly over the field, just like they do at an NFL game, right at the end of the National Anthem," Dwyer said.

During the National Anthem, current military personnel and veterans, along with area first responders, will take the field at the 50-yard line, standing behind the high school band to hold an American flag stretching 30 feet long.

After the flyover, said Dwyer, the crews and the helicopters will be on hand to interact with the community. People can see a Blackhawk up close and sit in the back seats.

Dwyer said members of the Calumet High School Army JROTC North Star Battalion will also be present, assisting with maintaining a perimeter around the helicopters and welcoming veterans and first responders.

"They're going to be a big help," Dwyer said.

Emphasizing the tribute, Dwyer said special military-themed football jerseys have been purchased that the athletes will wear. The jerseys are the same colors as the Copper King jerseys but have a camouflage print on the shoulders and down the side, with the American flag on the back.

The uniforms will be sold at a private auction during the game, with all proceeds going to two organizations, he said.

"One is the U.P. Veterans Assistance Fund," said Dwyer. "They help just U.P. veterans, so that money stays in the U.P. to help veterans with expenses federal grants and such might not cover. The other organization is most commonly called Pigs-N-Heat, but the actual name is the Copper Country Police and Fire Relief Fund."

Admission to the game is entirely free for all veterans, active military personnel, and first responders, with kickoff set promptly for 7 p.m.

"I think it’s a good way to honor those who lost their lives in 9/11, and also show our appreciation for everything our military, veterans and first responders do," Dwyer said, looking out at the week ahead. "We've invited lots of veterans and first responders and police, Mercy Ambulance and fire departments, so we're hoping to get a good crowd."