Raiders don 278th insignia starting with La-Lafayette (via Murfreesboro Post)

NOTE:  I believe this is a great thing.  If you do not know much about the 278th, you should as they are the largest from TN.  As well, in an era where football is often give much more attention that our armed forces, it is nice to see the team and administration giving a "shout out" to those who give us the ability to play and watch this great game each Saturday in the fall. - Tom Hagen

Raiders don 278th insignia starting with La-Lafayette

(Link to original story HERE)
Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 8:50 pm

On a day when MTSU will dedicate a Veterans Memorial on campus and observe Armed Services/Veterans Day, the Blue Raider football team will make a statement of its own in observance of the holiday.

Coach Rick Stockstill opened Tuesday's weekly press conference by announcing the team will wear insignia of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment on its helmets starting Saturday and until the unit returns from a scheduled second tour in Iraq.

The 278ths is set for deployment again in Iraq in February. It is the largest National Guard unit in Tennessee.

The Raiders will carry a three-game Sun Belt Conference win streak into Saturday's 3:15 p.m. kickoff against Louisiana-Lafayette.

Middle became bowl eligible with a 48-21 win over Florida International here Saturday, lifting the Raiders to 6-3 on the year.

Lafayette is 5-4 overall and coming off a 21-18 win over Arkansas State on the road.

Highlight of Tuesday's press conference included:
Opening Comments
In honor of the Salute to Armed Services/Veterans Day, we will be honoring the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment out of Knoxville by wearing their insignia to show respect for everything they do for this country. We will leave this insignia on our helmets until they return home from Iraq, so they will know our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families. I hope everyone will come to this game, not only to support Middle Tennessee and our football team, but to come out and support the 278th.

(rest of the story is HERE)