Veterans Day 2025: KU Lawrence campus events to honor military service

LAWRENCE — In honor of Veterans Day, the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence will host/participate in a variety of events Nov. 8-12. Events are open to the public, unless otherwise noted.

Nov. 8 

• Lawrence Veterans Day parade, 11 a.m., Massachusetts Street in downtown Lawrence. All veterans, Gold Star families, family members of deployed service members or veteran organizations are welcome. All others can participate but may incur a fee to offset parade costs.
   
• Women’s Volleyball Salute to Service game vs. Cincinnati, 1 p.m. at Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena. Call 1-800-34-HAWKS for more information.
   

Nov. 9

• KU Vets Day 5K, 9 a.m. Lawrence campus. The annual 5K, hosted by the Veterans Alumni Network and KU Student Veterans of America, honors past and present veterans and raises awareness of the roles veterans play in the university and community. This year’s theme celebrates the 250th birthdays of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps. Runners, walkers, wheelchair racers and more — both in person and virtual — all are welcome. Volunteers are needed as well. 
   
• Tribute to Veterans Gala, 5-9 p.m., Dole Institute of Politics. Celebrate veterans and their families with a Salute to Veterans from the KU ROTC programs and an evening of music and dancing with the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra. A free reservation is required to attend. Contact the Dole Institute at 785-864-4900 or doleinstitute@ku.edu.

Nov. 11

• Free meals from KU Dining. In recognition of Veteran's Day, any active, retired or ROTC member is eligible for the promotion. Please be prepared to show military ID at checkout.
   
• Evening Colors Ceremony, 4:30 p.m., lawn in front of Strong Hall. Hosted by KU ROTC battalions, the ceremony will include the posting of the colors, remarks from Chancellor Douglas A. Girod, the presentation of a ceremonial wreath and the traditional lowering of the U.S. flag at sunset. The program will feature guest speaker Judge Tim McCarthy of Kansas’ 10th Judicial District, who led the effort to establish the first Veterans Treatment Court in Kansas in 2016.
  
  Attendees are encouraged to park in the Mississippi Street Parking Garage and use KU’s public bus service to reach the stops in front of Strong Hall. Seating will be available, and community members are invited to join in this solemn observance honoring those who have served and continue to serve the nation.
   
• Men’s Basketball Salute to Service game vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 7 p.m. at Allen Fieldhouse. Call 1-800-34-HAWKS for more information.

Nov. 12

• Veterans & Military Family Appreciation lunch, 11:30 a.m-1 p.m., Military-Affiliated Student Center, 345 Summerfield Hall. The Gary Sinise Foundation is providing free boxed lunches for the first 50 KU military-affiliated students.
  
  Note: The Kansas Football program Salute to Service game took place Aug. 29.

Ongoing

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