KALAMAZOO, Mich.—A wide range of events are being held on the campus of Western Michigan University and in the local community this month to honor military veterans.
Remembrance ceremony
On Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, the ROTC Cannon Crew and Boomer the cannon will be participating in the Kalamazoo Veterans Day remembrance ceremony. The annual event is held at Rose Park to honor all veterans from the local community who served in the armed forces.
Free meals
Also on Veterans Day, several area restaurants will be providing free meals to veterans. Get a list of participating eateries at thebalance.com/veterans-day-free-meals-1357348.
Veterans salute
Veterans will be saluted Saturday, Nov. 19, during WMU's hockey and football games, and there will be a military discount for the football game. The WMU Hockey Military Appreciation game versus Air Force starts at 7 p.m. in Lawson Ice Arena. The Bronco football's "Salute to Heroes" will take place during the WMU-Buffalo game in Waldo Stadium. The time for that game has not yet been announced.
The K-Wings Military Appreciation Night has been set for Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Wings Event Center. Doors open at 6 p.m.; puck drops at 7 p.m. Student tickets are $10 for non-glass seating. Visit kwings.com for additional information.
Other veterans-related events
Many other veterans-related events have been planned by WMU community members.
- A Military literature discussion group, "Talking Service," will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, in 1245 Schneider Hall. It is open to people of all ages who have served in the armed forces as well as their families, friends and care providers. Register for this free event by emailing margaret.vonsteinen@wmich.edu. Additional details are available at michiganhumanities.org/talking-service.
- Celebrate the 241st Marine Corps birthday in the Military Student Lounge in Ellsworth Hall Thursday, Nov. 10. Drop by, share a joke and enjoy a piece of cake.
- Army ROTC will be providing the color guard for Pfizer's Veterans Day Remembrance Ceremony at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10.
- ROTC cadets will be visiting veterans in the Oakland Centre Thursday, Nov. 10, to provide fellowship and listen to military stories from another generation.
- The College of Aviation will have a display honoring military veterans in front of the college in Battle Creek.
- In partnership with the Battle Creek VFW, the ROTC color guard will hold a ceremony Friday, Nov. 11, at Oaks Assisted Living in Battle Creek.
- Army ROTC will be holding a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, on the indoor tennis courts at the Student Recreation Center. To register for donation, visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code WMU. Questions should be directed to Cris Obreiter at cris.obreiter@wmich.edu or (269) 387-8120.
- The Office of Military and Veterans Affairs will be having a flag-changing ceremony Friday, Nov. 11, in the Military Student Lounge in Ellsworth Hall, conducted by ROTC. The ceremony will commence at 1 p.m., and pizza will be provided afterward. Service members are encouraged to bring their unit patch to place on the Military Student Lounge wall.
For more information on veterans-related events at WMU, contact Billy Clayton, military advocate, at billy.clayton@wmich.edu or (269) 387-4444.
For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.
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