University will honor veterans with slate of November events


Fri, 11/02/2018

author

April Blackmon Strange

LAWRENCE – In honor of Veterans Day, the University of Kansas will host a variety of events Nov. 3-18. A majority of the events are open to the public, including the annual Marine Corps birthday celebrations, "Hope 22" exhibition, KU Vets Day 5K and the KU Salute to Service games.

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

Nov. 3

  • KU Salute to Service football game vs. Iowa State, 11 a.m., David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
  • KU Salute to Service volleyball game vs. Texas Tech, 6:30 p.m., Horejsi Family Athletics Center

Nov. 8

  • KU Veterans and Nontraditional Student Breakfast, 8:30-11 a.m., Forum B, Burge Union. This free event is open to all students and their families and will include a spotlight on campus services and resources. Students are welcome to come and go as they please.
  • Marine Corps 243rd birthday commemoration, 10:30 a.m., Dole Institute of Politics. The ceremony will feature guest speaker Vietnam veteran John Musgrave; a reception will follow. Open to the public.

Nov. 9

  • Marine Corps Birthday with the KU Student Veterans of America, noon, Wescoe Beach. The SVA will hand out free slices of cake to all while supplies last.

Nov. 10-18

  • "Hope 22" exhibition, Spencer Museum of Art. This project raises awareness surrounding the nation’s veteran suicide epidemic while educating the public about mental health issues and resources. This exhibition features 22 portraits of Kansas City-area veterans, each displayed with short personal stories of struggle, resilience and hope.

Nov. 11

  • Annual KU Veterans Day 5K, 9 a.m., begins and ends at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. This year’s 5K commemorates the centennial of the WWI armistice. The route goes through campus past KU’s war memorials. All finishers will receive a medal, and age group awards will be presented to winners. 
  • Tribute to Veterans Gala, 6 p.m, Dole Institute of Politics. This gala will include a salute to veterans from the KU ROTC as well as an evening with the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra. Attendees will enjoy WWII-era music, light hors-d’oeuvres and beverages. Admission is free, but space is limited.

Nov. 12

  • Salute to Service men's basketball game vs. Vermont, 8 p.m., Allen Fieldhouse

Nov. 13

  • Salute to Service women's basketball game vs. Oral Roberts, 7 p.m., Allen Fieldhouse

Nov. 15

  • "Hope 22" exhibition reception, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Spencer Museum of Art. Guest speakers include KU student and Marine Corps veteran Jimmy Gentile, who is featured in the exhibition.
  • Trans Vet Talk, 6 p.m., Centennial Room, KU Memorial Union. Join the KU Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity and the Emily Taylor Center for Women & Gender Equity for a screening of the short film “Transgender, at War and Love,” followed by a panel highlighting the voices and experiences of local transgender veterans.
  • VA Veteran Town Hall, 6 p.m., Lied Center Pavilion. A town hall for veterans and their families in Lawrence and surrounding communities, hosted by Department of Veterans Affairs executives and the VA health care team. During the town hall, the VA will conduct a Vietnam Veteran Commemoration Celebration. This event is free and open to the public. 

In addition to the various activities, KU ROTC cadets and midshipmen will be posted in uniform at KU's Vietnam and Korean war memorial sites and at the Memorial Campanile, which recognizes members of the KU community who died in World War II. The annual 24-hour vigil begins at 6 p.m. Nov. 10.

 

Fri, 11/02/2018

author

April Blackmon Strange

Media Contacts

April Blackmon Strange

Lt. Gen. William K. Jones Military-Affiliated Student Center

785-864-6715