Veterans Week to honor military members for service, dedication

Next weekend, people across the nation will celebrate Veterans Day in honor of the brave men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces. At U-M, such festivities will last all week long.

“The university is made up of so many incredible people who have served this nation, whether faculty, staff or students,” said Philip Larson, director of veteran and military services at U-M. “We are proud to celebrate these veterans and provide a number of opportunities for them to educate community members about their experiences. We hope the rest of the campus community will join us at events throughout Veterans Week to learn about important subjects and thank veterans for the sacrifices they have made.”

Among the highlights of Veterans Week at U-M will be a number of panel discussions focusing on armed conflicts.

“Employees can hear firsthand from soldiers of the ‘Forgotten War’ what it was like to serve on the front lines in Korea,” Larson said. “Or they can meet with veterans of World War II and the Vietnam War. These are unique opportunities for everyone involved.”

The week will culminate next Friday with a flag raising and lowering ceremony on the Diag performed by the U-M ROTC.

All Veterans Week events are free and open to members of the Michigan Medicine and university community:

Monday, Nov. 6

• Korea panel discussion: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m., Michigan Union, Kuenzel Room

• Blood drive: 2 p.m.  – 8 p.m., Michigan Union, Anderson Room

• World War II panel discussion: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., Michigan Union, Kuenzel Room

Tuesday, Nov. 7

• Vietnam War panel discussion: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m., Michigan Union, Kuenzel Room

• Blood drive: 2 p.m. – 8 p.m., Michigan Union, Anderson Room

• MIA/Research and Recovery discussion: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., Michigan Union, Kuenzel Room

Wednesday, Nov. 8

• Student panel discussion: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m., Michigan Union, Parker Room

• Therapy and service dogs for veterans discussion: Noon – 1 p.m., Michigan Union, Parker Room

• Women in the military panel discussion: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., Michigan Union, Parker Room

• Fisher House Michigan Event: 7 p.m., Hill Auditorium (click here for more information)

Thursday, Nov. 9

• LGBTQ in the military panel discussion: 11 a.m. – noon, Michigan Union, Kuenzel Room

• Sea power in the 21st century panel discussion: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., Michigan Union, Kuenzel Room

• Military humanitarian efforts discussion: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., Michigan Union, Kuenzel Room

• Veterans of color film and reception: 4 p.m – 6 p.m., Hatcher Graduate Library, Room 100

Friday, Nov. 10

• ROTC flag raising: 8 a.m., Diag flagpole

• ROTC flag lowering: 5 p.m., Diag flagpole

• Chanticleer: Heart of a Solder performance: 8 p.m., Hill Auditorium (Click here for tickets).

“Attending even one of these events will give you a greater sense of what men and women have gone through in their military career, and that will help you better understand a colleague or student who has served,” Larson said.

For more information on all Veterans Week activities, click here.