By Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
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Capt. Shannon Ison is recognized during Heroes' Day at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky., Nov. 9, 2013. In February, Ison was awarded the Silver Star for his actions in Afghanistan in 2008. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- On Veterans' Day weekend the University of Kentucky celebrated with Heores' Day at Commonwealth Stadium, Nov. 9. As the Wildcat football team took on the University of Missouri on the field, Service members and first responders were honored throughout the game.
Kentucky's Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini conducted the coin toss to begin the game and Kentucky's newest Silver Star recipient, Capt. Shannon Ison was recognized on the field during the second quarter.
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Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, Kentucky's adjutant general flips the coin at the beginning of the University of Kentucky' football game against the University of Missouri in Lexington, Ky., Nov. 9, 2013. Tonini and more than 800 Kentucky Guardsmen were in attendance for the game as part of the university's Heroes' Day.(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
More than 800 Guardsmen were in attendance with complimentary tickets from UK. Cadets from UK's ROTC assisted with an enormous American Flag during the National Anthem.
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ROTC cadets from the University of Kentucky stand beneath a large American Flag on the field at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky., Nov. 9, 2013. The cadets displayed the flag for the National Anthem during UK's Heroes' Day and are positioned beneath to keep it from touching the ground. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
In addition to honoring the military, Heroes' Day also paid tribute to police officers and firemen. Ison, an engineer in the Kentucky Guard is also a firefighter for the City of Lexington.
"UK has done a great thing here today in supporting everybody that's in uniform, two great organizations are represented here, the Kentucky National Guard and the Lexington Fire Department," he said.
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Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini greets University of Kentucky head football coach, Mark Stoops prior to kickoff at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky., Nov. 9, 2013. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)