Indiana Wesleyan University will host its annual Veterans Day event on Monday, Nov. 11 to honor those who have served or are currently serving in the US armed forces. Sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the day of recognition includes several events and initiatives that will take place on IWU’s Marion campus.
Breakfast will take place from 7:30-9:00 a.m. in the Banquet Rooms of the Student Center. The keynote speaker this year is John Copas, who leads the Marion Chapter of Guitars for Vets. The IWU community, veterans and their families, and community guests are welcome to attend. Reservations are required and may be made by calling (765) 677-2420.
Activities from noon-4 p.m. in the Barnes Student Center include:
- Footlocker Stories – An interactive exhibit of GI mementos, compiled by Andrew Thieme (a Ball State student), enables you to handle mementos from Hoosier veterans and personally connect with veterans’ stories.
- IWU Wall – Write the names of those you know who have served or are serving in the military.
- MOS – View this artifact exhibit in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI.
- Missing Man Table – Visit this station to learn more about a military tradition remembering those who were killed or are missing in action.
- Military Experience – Managed by IWU ROTC, this station provides an opportunity for attendees to sample an MRE meal or lift and carry a fully loaded rucksack.
- Pray for a Vet - Drop off your veteran-related and general prayer requests at this station.
- Donate for Troops – Give monetary donations to soldier.com.
- Notes of Support – Write a note to a deployed service member.
- The Forty and Eight – Honor society of American veterans and service members.
“If any group of Americans embodies the spirit of Jesus’ words in John 15:13, (‘Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends’), it is our veterans,” said Bob Burchell, director of chaplain ministries. “What an honor it is to help IWU recognize and celebrate them. It’s my deep hope that many from the community as well as the IWU student body take time to support our veterans by attending some aspect of the Veterans Day Celebration.”
For more information on IWU’s Veteran’s Day Celebration, visit https://www.indwes.edu/events/veterans-day-celebration/.