Veterans from the VFW 4797, American Legion Post 46 and American Legion Post 49 joined with players from both Star Valley and Cody as part of a ceremony prior to Friday’s National Anthem.(Inset) The logo of The Flying 8-Balls is on the SV helmets this season. PHOTO BY DAHL ERICKSON

• Pre-game ceremony utilized both teams.

This past week was Homecoming which is filled with activities and traditions. This year both Star Valley High School and the Braves Football team chose to involve veterans who were able and willing to participate.

Veterans addressed the team throughout the week and rode with players during the Homecoming parade. In addition, a special helmet sticker has been used this season. Typically the team uses a sticker under the theme “On The Shoulders Of Giants” which honors previous state championship teams. This year, the sticker is that of the “Flying 8-Balls” which was the logo used by the crew of the ‘Star Valley’ a B-24 Liberator which crashed in the late days of World War II in France. Coach McKay Young and many students visited the village where the plane went down and witnessed first hand how the crew and American soldiers are honored each year as part of the remembrance of the liberation of France from Nazi Germany.

The week was capped off by veterans joining with players from both Star Valley and Cody in a pre-game flag ceremony surrounding the performance of the National Anthem before the game.