University News

Military Appreciation Week Nov. 5-11 at WIU

October 29, 2018

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MACOMB, IL - Western Illinois University will celebrate Military Appreciation Week Monday-Sunday, Nov. 5–11.

This year's theme is the "World War One Commemoration," honoring the men and women who served 100 years ago. The war ended with an armistice agreement between the warring countries at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918.

The celebration week begins with Kinder Mondays, an initiative introduced and coordinated by the University Counseling Center. On Nov. 5, the WIU Veterans Club, ROTC cadets/WIU Military Science Department and Veterans Resource Center students will be providing patriotic wristbands to the campus community to wear during the week to show support for our service men and women.

Student veterans and ROTC cadets will also participate in fundraising events for the Honor Flight of the Quad Cities Nov. 5-7.

The staff from the Center for Military/Academic Transition and Health (CMATH) on the WIU campus will be available throughout the week from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. to discuss services available to all veterans on campus and in the community who already have their VA healthcare benefits in place. Beu Health Center partners with the Iowa City VA Healthcare System to provide the only tele-mental health facility in the nation located on a college campus. The Center for Military/Academic Transition and Health (CMATH), 214 Seal Hall, provides tele-mental health services through secure video conferencing. Contact the CMATH clinic at (309) 298-3697 for additional information.

The WIU Departments of History and School of Music are commemorating the Centennial of the WWI Armistice through an interdisciplinary panel discussion of the Great War. Each of the panelists will provide a brief presentation followed by a discussion. This event will run from 4:30- 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7 in Morgan Hall, 101A.

Then, at 6:30 p.m. in the University Union Cardinal Oak Room, a social is planned to further discussion about the upcoming credentialing program to begin during the Spring 2018 term. The social will be followed by a student veteran panel discussion at 7 p.m. Student veterans will share their personal insight to help audience members gain a better understanding of their WIU experiences.

On Thursday, Nov 8, at 7:30 p.m., in the Horrabin Hall Theatre, a special guest presentation by Stu Richel, a Vietnam veteran, photographer and journalist will include his intensely personal perspective on the most significant period in his life, and how his experiences shaped his future. This program is free to WIU students, as well as community veterans and service members. Admission is $10 per person for campus and community members.

Immediately following the presentation, a social with the presenter will be held at the Macomb VFW Post 1921. The social is open to the community.

The annual Military Tribute Ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov 9 at the Sherman Hall flagpole. Students, faculty, staff, administrators and community members will be in attendance to honor service members and veterans.

Military Appreciation Game Day will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov, 10 with men's basketball vs. North Park University, followed by women's basketball vs. Drake University at 4:30 p.m. Both games will be held in Western Hall.

At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, the WIU Wind Ensemble will present a patriotic concert honoring veterans and family members. Special guests include emcee Michael W. Walker, 389th Army Band, ret.; and Assistant Professor of Music Penelope Shumate, soprano soloist. The Illinois Army National Guard and American Legion Post 6 will also contribute to the concert experience. The event is open free to the community

On Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11, the campus community is encouraged to gather in Chandler Park at 7 a.m. to place the Flags of Love on display. At 4 p.m., volunteers are asked to return to remove the flags from Chandler Park. This activity may be cancelled in the case of rain.

The World War One Centennial Commemoration continues on Sunday with a nationwide remembrance. "Bells of Peace," in collaboration with the nation's veterans of service with the Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, will present bell tolling to provide a solemn reminder of the sacrifice and service of veterans of World War I, and all veterans.
 
At 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, Western, along with communities and organizations across the nation will toll the carillon 21 times to mark the centennial of the Armistice that brought an end to hostilities. The significance of the bells tolling is based on the nation's highest honor, the 21-gun salute. Participants in this activity are asked to pause at 11 a.m., count 21 times and stand in solidarity with others across the nation.

Military Appreciation Day at the volleyball game against South Dakota will take place at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11 in Western Hall.

Additional activities, events and program-specific locations may be located at the "resources and events" tab at wiu.edu/veterans.  For more information about any of the activities, contact the Veterans Resource Center at (309) 298-3505 or by email at VeteransResources@wiu.edu.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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