MUSKEGON – Even when you just watch it on TV, the sight of a giant American flag being stretched over an athletic field during the playing of the national anthem evokes a deep patriotic feeling.

Muskegon Lumberjacks fans will get to experience that feeling in person before Friday night’s game against the Green Bay Gamblers.

A massive American flag will be unfurled over the ice during the national anthem to kick off the team’s annual Military Night.

“I think everyone in the building is going to experience goose bumps,” said Andrea Rose, the Lumberjacks’ President of Business Operations.

Military Night has always been a big deal for the Lumberjacks, who think it’s crucial to honor local veterans who served and sacrificed, and those who gave their lives to defend our nation.

This year is a little different, however.

The Lumberjacks usually host Military Night on a Saturday, because Saturday games draw the biggest crowds. But Veteran’s Day falls on Friday, Nov. 11, and the team thought their special night should coincide with the national holiday and other local festivities.

The Military Night game will follow the downtown Veteran’s Day Parade along Western Avenue, sponsored by United Way of the Lakeshore. The parade will begin at 5 p.m. and will run from Seventh Street to Second Street, while the hockey game will begin at 7:00 p.m.

There will be a special “Stuff the Bus” promotion before and during the game, sponsored by the Lumberjacks, the Muskegon Area Transit Service and IHeart Radio, to gather needed food, clothing and personal items for area veterans and their families.

Fans are asked to donate canned goods (preferably canned meats), personal care items like soap, shampoo and feminine items, as well as new socks, gloves and hats.

A MATS bus will be parked outside Trinity Health Arena to begin accepting donations between 5:30 and 6 p.m. on Friday. Donors will receive a $5 coupon to use toward their Lumberjacks game ticket.

“Military Night is a staple for the Lumberjacks,” Rose said. “It’s a night we put on our schedule every year. With our new focus on bringing our promotional nights to life this season, we thought Military Night would be a great place to start, to honor the many folks in our area who have served or are serving.

“We really want to highlight them and show appreciation for them.”

The presentation of the giant flag during the national anthem will be just one new feature of Friday’s Military Night.

The Lumberjacks will play recorded taps and a 21-gun salute to honor those who fell defending our country.

The team will wear very cool Military Night jerseys as a salute to the area’s current and former service members.

“They are camo jerseys, and the shoulders are covered with the stars and stripes, as if the flag were draped over their shoulders,” Rose said. “Jack (the Lumberjack logo on the jersey) also has his hat off and is holding it over his heart to play tribute.”

The national anthem singer will be Zaneta Adams, director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.