Georgia National Guard members from Rome, Calhoun and the rest of the state will be honored at Saturday’s Georgia-South Carolina game, when the Bulldogs wear a helmet patch to honor the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The 1-inch by 1.5-inch patch will be a replica of the combat team’s shoulder sleeve insignia.

The 108th Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition Squadron based in Calhoun is a subordinate battalion of the 48th Brigade; Rome’s Alpha Troop is part of the 108th. Approximately 3,000 Georgians are currently deployed in Afghanistan with the mission of training and mentoring the Afghan Army and Police.

“When I heard that the 48th was from throughout the state of Georgia, I was excited about the opportunity,” Georgia head coach Mark Richt said. “Hopefully, this is a sign of our appreciation for all the men and women who are serving and for their families as well. We owe them all the support we can give.”

Richt was originally contacted this summer by Lt. Col. John Gentry, a member of the 48th who also serves as the director of Oconee County Parks and Recreation Department.

“To date we have lost seven soldiers in the line of duty,” Gentry wrote. “A thought that I had to honor those soldiers and families whom have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving the 48th IBCT, the state of Georgia and the USA is this: I wanted to know if Coach Richt and the university would consider sewing on the 48th IBCT patch on No. 48 during this football season?”

The Bulldogs staff made the decision to place a patch on the helmet of every Georgia player for the game.

The fallen soldiers from the 48th include Sgt. Jeffrey Jordan of Cave Spring, 1st Sgt. John Blair of Calhoun and Sgt. Raymundo Morales of Dalton. Sgt. Issac Johnson Jr. of Columbus was a member of Rome’s Alpha Troop. Other squadron members killed in the line of duty are Major Kevin Jenerette of Lula, Sgt. 1st Class John Beale of Riverdale and Sgt. Brock Chavers of Bulloch.