University hosting events in honor of Veterans Day

LAWRENCE – In honor of Veterans Day, the University of Kansas will host and participate in a variety of events Nov. 5-13. Events are open to the public, unless otherwise noted.

“This series of events is one of the many ways KU embraces our military-affiliated community,” said April Blackmon Strange, director of the Lt. Gen. William K. Jones Military-Affiliated Student Center. “We hope KU and community members will join us in one or more of these activities as we recognize and honor those who have served in the U.S. armed forces.”

Nov 5:

• KU Salute to Service football game vs. Oklahoma State, 2:30 p.m., David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Military/veterans can purchase discounted tickets to the game. Anyone interested in donating tickets to veterans through Vet Tix can purchase them here.

Nov. 6:

• Tribute to Veterans Gala, 6-8:30 p.m., Dole Institute of Politics. The gala will include a salute to veterans from the KU ROTC programs as well as an evening with the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra. For more information, contact the Dole Institute at 785-864-4900.  

Nov. 9:

• KU military-affiliated and nontraditional student brunch, 9:30-11 a.m., Forums, Burge Union. This free event, in partnership with the Student Involvement & Leadership Center as part of Nontraditional Student Week, is open to all KU students and their families and will include a spotlight on campus services and resources. Students are welcome to come and go as they please.
• "Invisible Storm: A Soldier’s Memoir of Politics and PTSD," 12:30-1:30 p.m. with Jason Kander, president of national expansion at Veterans Community Project. This virtual event is part of KU Medical Center's campuswide leadership series and is open to the entire KU community. Register online.

Nov 10:

• Marine Corps birthday cake, time TBD, Wescoe Beach. KU Student Veterans of America will celebrate the Marine Corps' birthday with free cake for all, while supplies last.
• ROTC 24-hour vigil, beginning at 6 p.m. KU ROTC cadets and midshipmen will be posted in uniform at KU’s war memorial sites along Memorial Drive.
• KU Salute to Service men’s basketball game vs. North Dakota State, 7 p.m., Allen Fieldhouse.

Nov 11:

• KU-Leavenworth will participate in the Leavenworth County Veterans Day parade, which begins 10:30 a.m. All KU students and their families are invited to participate and should meet at TownePlace Suites at 8 a.m. RSVP by Nov. 9 to Sarah Weygand, education program manager, sweygand@ku.edu or 913-897-8557.
• Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony and Vietnam Memorial rededication, 11 a.m., Vietnam Memorial. Join the KU community for a traditional wreath-laying ceremony to recognize the sacrifices made by those who have served in the armed forces. As part of the ceremony, the university will also rededicate the Vietnam Memorial, the first on-campus commemorative to Vietnam War fallen in the country when it was dedicated in 1986. The rededication will recognize the addition of a second star beside the name of Maj. Glenn McCubbin, whose remains were since identified and recovered. Michelle Hack, McCubbin’s niece, will be the guest of honor, and Chancellor Douglas A. Girod will officiate the ceremony.
• Veterans Day Taps Ceremony, 11 a.m., KU Medical Center campus and virtually via Zoom. Sgt. Aaron Leonard will be playing taps in the Murphy Courtyard.
• All day: KU Dining Services will offer a free meal to veterans at all campus locations, including The Market in the Kansas Union, Courtside Café at the DeBruce Center and other campus locations. Veterans should present their military/veterans ID, driver’s license with veteran designation or DD-214 at checkout.

Nov. 12:

• Lawrence Veterans Day parade, 11 a.m., downtown Lawrence. A KU joint ROTC color guard will participate. KU student veterans are invited to participate as well. For more information, to RSVP or to request mobility assistance, call the parade association at (785) 576-3765. Those walking in the parade should meet at 623 Massachusetts St. by 10:30 a.m.

Nov. 13:

• Annual KU Vets Day 5K, 9 a.m., begins and ends at KU Memorial Stadium, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the dedication of KU Memorial Stadium. A virtual run option is available for anyone who is unable to make it to campus. Pre-registration is encouraged; arrive by 8 a.m. for on-site registration. Volunteers are needed for the event as well and can sign up through the 5K website’s “volunteer” section.

Ongoing:

• The Kansas Veterans Virtual Memory Wall at the Dole Institute continues the late U.S. Sen. Bob Dole’s commitment to honoring Kansas veterans past and present. Submissions are always welcome of veterans who have served our country from World War II until today who have a Kansas connection: whether they were born, lived, stationed or served in Kansas. Submit a veteran profile at this link: Kansas Veterans Virtual Memory Wall or contact kansasveterans@ku.edu or 785-864-4900 for more information.