Representing strength, honor, heroism and sacrifice, the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl trophy landed at the company’s Pike County Operations facility in Troy, Alabama, on Oct. 17 as part of a multi-state roadshow ahead of the Dec. 23 collegiate bowl game.

The massive football-shaped trophy is made of steel from the battle-tested equipment of all five U.S. military service branches, and represents the courage and fortitude of our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen.

“Approximately 30 percent of our workforce has served in the military or has family members who serve,” said Dave Anderson, director of Lockheed Martin Pike County Operations. “We understand the significant contribution and sacrifices our armed forces make to ensure our global and national security. Sponsoring the Armed Forces Bowl is one more way that we can celebrate our patriotism and recognize the efforts of service men and women from all five branches of the military.”

The trophy will be awarded to the winner of the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CST on Friday, Dec. 23, in Fort Worth, Texas. The game at Texas Christian University’s Amon G. Carter Stadium will be televised nationally on ESPN, pitting the U.S. Naval Academy (assuming bowl eligibility) against a Big 12 opponent to be announced.

Sponsored by Lockheed Martin, the Armed Forces Bowl is the only collegiate football bowl game that has hosted all three U.S. military academy football teams: the U.S. Military Academy (Army) in 2010, the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2007-2009, 2012 and 2015, and the U.S. Naval Academy in 2013. 

For 2016, all Lockheed Martin employee ticket sale proceeds will benefit the Military Child Education Coalition, whose mission is to ensure inclusive, quality educational experiences for all military-connected children affected by mobility, family separation and transition.

Patriotic themes characterize the Armed Forces Bowl. Past games have featured military hardware displays, historic flyovers, skydiving demonstrations, on-field induction ceremonies and the awarding of custom homes to wounded warriors. The 2015 game included the first-ever flyover of a four-ship F-35 Lightning II formation.

For additional information, visit the official game website: www.armedforcesbowl.com