Alumnus pilots Apache helicopter in stadium flyover

copter large

A U.S. Army Apache helicopter flies over Bearcat
Stadium Nov. 10 at the conclusion of a salute to
America's veterans. The helicopter was piloted by
Northwest alumnus Lt. Col. Thomas Burson ('87).

A tribute to veterans of the United States armed services during the Bearcats' Nov. 10 football victory over the Missouri Southern State University Lions carried a distinctly hometown touch.

The U.S. Army Apache helicopter that flew over Bearcat Stadium during halftime was piloted by Lt. Col. Thomas Burson, a 1987 Northwest graduate. The co-pilot, Chief Warrant Officer Shawn Deffenbaugh, grew up in Tarkio. Both men are based at Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster.

Burson's flyover was the climax of a halftime show during which the Bearcat Marching Band played the theme songs of the United States' armed services. Members of area American Legion posts and cadets from the University's ROTC program presented each service's colors on Mel Tjeerdsma Field prior to the unfurling of a giant American flag.

The salute closed with the flyover and the band's rendition of "America the Beautiful."

Prior to the game, Northwest Facilities Manager Marvin Harper, commander of the Missouri Department of the American Legion, participated in the coin toss.

For more information, please contact:

Anthony Brown,
News Bureau Manager
E-Mail: abrown@nwmissouri.edu
Phone (660) 562-1704
Fax (660) 562-1900

Northwest Missouri State University
219 Administration Building,
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468

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