University News

Military Appreciation Week Underway at WIU

November 9, 2026

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MACOMB, IL - - Western Illinois University's Veterans Resource Center is proud to celebrate Military Appreciation Week with a week full of events, highlighted by a Veteran's Day Military Tribute Ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and concluding with Serve and Protect Day at the WIU Football game on Saturday, Nov. 14.

The Military Tribute Ceremony will be held from 11 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Nov. 11 beneath the flags on the south side of Hanson Field. The program will include a color guard presentation, a solo performance of the National Anthem and remarks from a guest speaker, Adam Yates from Quincy, who is a veteran, WIU alumnus and retired police chief. Grade school students will also participate by sharing their voices in song, highlighting the importance of honoring veterans across generations.

Events will conclude with the Leatherneck football game at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. Free entry will be available for military and first responders and their families by visiting bit.ly/3WqBMVH. Fans will also be able to purchase Buy One Get One tickets using promo code FBBOGO. The first 500 fans will receive a camouflage WIU hat. Before the game, there will be a "Touch a Truck" event held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Q lot.

The football team is currently tied for first place in the Ohio Valley Conference and will face Gardner-Webb.

The WIU community will be able to decorate homemade sugar cookies with Cookies, Cocoa, and Camo from noon-3 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 12.

From 9-11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, the VRC will host Pack the Van, an Illinois Veterans Home gift drive, where they will accept cozy blankets and socks, large-print books, activities and sweets and handwritten cards.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing