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As part of WIU's celebration of Veterans Appreciation Week, a ceremony will be held in front of Sherman Hall Monday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. to recognize veterans and current service men and women.
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Veterans Appreciation Week Celebrated at Western

November 4, 2013

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MACOMB, IL - Western Illinois University will celebrate Veterans Appreciation Week Monday, Nov. 4 – Monday, Nov. 11 with a schedule of activities that culminates in a ceremony to pay tribute to veterans and service members.

Students from local elementary schools have created posters in appreciation of veterans and service members. Posters are on display throughout campus. The posters were created by students from St. Paul's and Lincoln Elementary Schools in Macomb, Bushnell-Prairie City Elementary School, Roseville Kid's Place, Drive Studio of Dance, Catch A Star Learning Center, PACT Head Start, Wesley Child Care Center and the WIU Infant and Preschool Center.

During the week, students and staff who are veterans and service members are asked to submit a four-inch by six-inch military photograph, with name and branch of service printed on the back of the photo, to the Veterans Resource Center, 333 N. Ward St., in Macomb. Submissions received by Monday, Nov. 11 will be submitted in a drawing for a free dinner for two, compliments of Magnolia's. Photos are also accepted on an ongoing basis for permanent display.

On Monday – Friday, Nov. 4 – 8, the Harry S. Mussatto Golf Course is offering a 25 percent discount on merchandise or free green fees with the rental of a golf cart with presentation of military identification. From 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday – Thursday, Nov. 4 – 11, the Women's Center will have a "Salute to Women in the Military" display at the WIU Multicultural Center, in the first floor lobby. The display will be available through Friday, Nov. 8.

The WIU Veterans Club and the Organization of Adult Students for Interaction and Support (OASIS) will distribute ribbons in support of Operation Yellow Ribbon. The yellow ribbons can be picked up in the University Concourse Monday – Wednesday, Nov. 4 – 6, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., or while supplies last. The Veterans Club also made a recent donation of more than $400 to the Western Illinois University Foundation Fallen Soldiers Scholarship Fund.

Events scheduled as part of the WIU celebration include:

• At 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, in the Multicultural Center Board Room, a student panel will discuss their military, educational and personal experiences as they transitioned to Western. The panel is comprised of male and female service members and veterans representing several military branches. Panel members are enthusiastic about sharing their individual insights and are prepared to answer questions from the audience.

• Students, staff and faculty can buy their favorite veteran or service member lunch at the Knoblauch Café from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, Nov. 5 and 7. Reservations may be made by calling (309) 298-1085.

• On Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 3 p.m., "Difficult Conversations 2: Stereotyping Each Other: Experiencing the Urban/Rural Divide on Campus," will take place at the Multicultural Center. This conversation looks at tensions felt by students on both sides of the urban/rural divide, who bring their personal cultural backgrounds to their campus experiences and interactions. Students, staff and faculty are encouraged to attend.

• The WIU Women's Center will hold a blood drive in the Multicultural Center Multipurpose and Activity Rooms from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6. The blood drive is co-sponsored by Feminist Action Alliance, Campus Girl Scouts and OASIS. First-time donors are encouraged to attend, as well as anyone who has ever donated and those who may be eligible to donate.

• On Thursday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Sandburg Theatre the Veterans Club will be showing the movie Restrepo, a 90-minute documentary by National Geographic that follows a platoon on their deployment to Afghanistan in the Korengal Valley. There will be a question and answer session following the showing.

• The Spencer Student Recreation Center is sponsoring Rocky-N-Roller Skate from 9 p.m. midnight Friday, Nov. 8. Western students can enjoy an evening full of skating and music free of charge. On Saturday, Nov. 9, the Spencer Student Recreation Center is also sponsoring a morning of family-friendly skating from 10 a.m.–noon. There is no charge for WIU students, employees and their family members.

• The Macomb VFW will be conducting a Veterans Day Ceremony at 1200 E. Jefferson St. at 10:30 a.m. on Veterans Day. Soup and sandwiches will be available after the ceremony. The event is open free to the public.

• At 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 11, Western will observe Veterans Day as WIU President Jack Thomas, WIU Veterans Club President Calvin Smith, Student Government Association Senator Michael Quigley, music major Hakeem Howard, Vice President for Student Services Gary Biller and WIU School of Music Professor Bruce Briney host a ceremony at the Sherman Hall flag pole to recognize veterans and current service men and women. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Sherman Hall third floor auditorium.

• Beginning at noon, Nov. 11, the Sherman Hall carillon will play a medley of patriotic anthems to pay tribute to each branch of the military.

• The American Legion, 221 E. Washington St., will sponsor a brief program and have a Veterans Day dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Veterans Day. Dinner is free of charge to members of the American Legion.

• Beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, the Elks Lodge is conducting a L.I.F.E class where veterans from the Vietnam-era will speak. The Elks Lodge is located at 401 S. Deer Rd., in Macomb.

For more information about Veterans Appreciation Week activities, contact Kathy Meyers at KJ-Meyers@wiu.edu or (309) 298-3505.

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