KU to host series of events during Veterans Day week

LAWRENCE – In honor of Veterans Day, the University of Kansas will host a variety of events Nov. 9 through Nov. 13. A majority of the events are open to the public, including the annual Marine Corps Birthday Celebration, AXIS Dance Company performance and the KU Salute to Service football game.

It also will include the Veterans Day Run, marking the 30^th anniversary of KU’s Vietnam Veteran Memorial dedication. It also marks the nation’s 50^th anniversary commemoration of the Vietnam War.

“This series of events is a KU-wide effort, and we’re proud to have so many on-campus helping celebrate our nation’s veterans,” said April Blackmon Strange, KU Student Veteran Center director. “We hope students and community members will join us in one or more of these activities as we recognize those who have served in the Armed Forces.”

Nov. 9:

• 8:30-10:30 a.m.: Breakfast (come-and-go) for KU’s student veterans and nontraditional students and their families. This event is free.
  Location: Kansas Union Malott Room
• 7 p.m.: AXIS Dance Company’s Veterans Workshop. This free event is open to area veterans, their families and/or friends, both with and without disabilities. No dance experience is necessary. RSVPs are required.
  AXIS Dance Company exists to change the face of dance and disability. AXIS is an innovative ensemble of performers with and without disabilities. In honor of Veterans Day, AXIS will perform its new work, “to go again,” which revolves around veterans’ stories of resilience. Event attendees will see excerpts of the work up close and learn more about how AXIS has engaged with veteran populations around the U.S. during the past year. RSVP by Tuesday, Nov. 8, to veterans@ku.edu or call 785-864-6715 with contact information and number of participants.
  Location: Lied Center of Kansas Pavilion

Nov. 10:

• 10-11 a.m.: Annual Marine Corps Birthday Celebration. Admission is free.
  Location: Dole Institute of Politics

• Noon-2 p.m.: Marine Corps Birthday with the KU Student Veterans of America. The KU SVA will hand out free cake slices and cups of hot cocoa while supplies last.
  Location: Wescoe Beach

Nov. 11:

• 7:30 p.m.: AXIS Dance Company performance. One of their dance pieces, “to go again,” shares veterans’ stories of resilience, specifically dealing with wounded veterans and their re-adjustment to civilian society. Tickets available online. KU military-affiliated students with a student ID may receive discount tickets by emailing veterans@ku.edu or calling 785-864-6715.
  Location: Lied Center of Kansas Pavilion

Nov. 12:

• 11 a.m.: KU Salute to Service football game vs. Iowa State. Five dollars from each ticket purchased at http://www.kuathletics.com/promo entering code SALUTE goes toward the KU Wounded Warrior Scholarship fund.
  Location: KU Memorial Stadium

Nov. 13:

• 9 a.m.: Fifth annual KU Veterans Day 5K. This year’s run honors Vietnam veterans and marks the 30^th anniversary of KU’s Vietnam Veteran Memorial dedication. It also marks the nation’s 50^th anniversary commemoration of the Vietnam War. The route goes through campus past KU’s war memorials. Online registration closes Tuesday, Nov. 8, but onsite registrations will be available Nov. 13. All finishers will receive a finisher’s medal, and age group awards will be presented to winners.
  Location: Begins and ends Memorial Stadium

In addition to the various activities, KU ROTC cadets and midshipmen will be posted in uniform at KU’s campus war memorial sites. Their annual vigil runs from the Salute to Service football game Nov. 12 to the KU Veterans Day Run Nov. 13.