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Activities highlight Veterans Day week at MSU |
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Sunday, 08 November 2009 |
By PAUL SIMS
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An effort with a slate of activities scheduled next week at Mississippi State University is designed to help people be aware of Veterans Day “not just for that one day,” an organizer said.
Officials scheduled events on four days next week as part of the second annual Veterans Day Awareness Week at MSU.
“We’re just trying to make people aware, not just for that one day, of the sacrifices of veterans and service members,” said Ronnie White, transition coordinator for the Sonny Montgomery Center for America’s Veterans on the MSU campus.
White cited an inscription on the Korean War memorial in Washington D.C. in saying “Freedom is not free.”
The weeks’ events start on Tuesday with a faculty workshop called “Easing the Transition for Military Student Veterans to College Life.”
The main premise behind the workshop is to talk to faculty members and staff about issues soldiers face in transition to college life, White said.
Dr. Beatrice Tatem will address the audience on such subjects as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Also, Butch Stokes will talk to those gathered about military college credits and how they are achieved.
MSU is going to review how it applies military training to college credit to help them in easing the transition, While said.
Tuesday’s workshop is a closed session.
On Wednesday, the public is invited to a Veteran’s Day observance on campus. The events begin with the laying of wreaths at three different memorials.
The first will be at 1:15 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Rose Garden on Highway 182, the second will be at the Vietnam memorial on campus behind Lee Hall at around 1:25 p.m. and at approximately 1:35 p.m., officials will place a wreath at the World War memorial, also behind Lee Hall.
This will take participants on around to the Drill Field for a 2 p.m. ceremony which will include posting of the colors, the National Anthem and a keynote address from MSU President Dr. Mark Keenum.
“A very significant indication of a university’s willingness to become more military veteran friendly can be illustrated by the leadership’s involvement and participation in these types of events. Dr. Keenum has provided that kind of leadership here at Mississippi State University,” said Andrew Rendon, the center’s director.
A reception will take place in Foster Ballroom U in Colvard Student Union immediately following the ceremony.
In case of inclement weather, the Veteran’s Day ceremony will take place in Foster Ballroom S at 2 p.m.
On Thursday, organizers host an invitation-only luncheon for Vietnam War veterans for recognition of their service.
If Vietnam veterans are interested in attending, they should contact Ronnie White at 325-6719, as should anyone seeking additional information on all events.
On Saturday, a veterans awareness recognition will take place as part of the Famous Maroon Band’s annual patriotic halftime show during the MSU-Alabama football game, which gets under way at 6 p.m.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 09 November 2009 )
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