November 4, 2009

Veterans Day Celebration, Wright Residence Dedication

MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois University has scheduled a variety of events Wednesday, Nov. 11 to pay tribute to the veterans and current members of the Armed Forces. In addition, the University's Wright Residence, directly across the street from the Alumni House, will be dedicated as the new Veterans Resource Center.

From 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 9-10, ribbon lapel pins, in support of Operation Yellow Ribbon, will be distributed in the University Union Concourse. Operation Yellow Ribbon's mission is: "To show our Love, Respect and Support for the men and women of the military of the United States of America and her Allies in the cause of Freedom and the Defeat of Terrorism." (www.operationyellowribbon.net).

On Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, the Sherman Hall carillon will play a medley of patriotic songs beginning at 11 a.m., while the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center, located in the Multicultural Center, will host the display, "A Historical Perspective of Blacks in the Military." The movie trailer, "Buffalo Soldier Mutiny" will be shown at the center at noon, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., followed by discussions.

At 1:45 p.m. Western's ROTC cadets will gather at the Sherman Hall flag pole to collect worn flags, and at 2 p.m., President Al Goldfarb, U.S. Marine Corps and Iraq veteran Matt Medhat and Student Government Association Vice President Chris Mortimer will 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 event will be held in the Sherman Hall Third Floor Auditorium).

Immediately following the 2 p.m. ceremony, the Wright Residence, 333 N. Ward St., will be dedicated as the new Veterans Resource Center. An open house will be held after the dedication and ribbon-cutting. Blandinsville veterinarian Dr. Ken Wright, and his wife, Betty, donated Ken's boyhood home to Western two years ago.

The Veterans Resource Center, formerly housed in the Student Assistance and Parent Service Center, serves as a one-stop location where veterans, guard members, reservists or current military members can receive individual assistance with any question or concern they may encounter. The Wright Residence Veterans Resource Center also features computer access, a study/meeting room, a lounge and a three-season porch. The center is open from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. when classes are session, and evening and weekend hours are available by appointment. In addition, five student-veteran peer assistants have been hired to work with student-veterans.

Western's ROTC cadets will also be present at the Wright Residence dedication to collect worn flags. In addition, to honor WIU students, staff and faculty veterans, a permanent photo display will be located at the center. Veterans are asked to submit a 4 x 6 (or 6 x 4) photo, with name and branch of service printed on the back of the photo, to Kathy Meyers, Veterans Resource Center, 333. N. Ward St., Macomb, IL, 61455. Photos will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

Other events include the Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center will provide free bottles of water to any veterans who use facility from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Nov. 11, and from 5-10 p.m. in the University Union Bowling and Billiards Center, veterans presenting their military ID can bowl for $1 per game. At 7 p.m. the University Union Board will host Veterans Bingo in the University Union Murray Street Café.

The play, "Miss Saigon," will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 in the Browne Hall Hainline Theatre. The production, directed by faculty member Egla Hassan, is free to veterans, courtesy of the department of theatre and dance. To obtain a free ticket for admission, veterans should contact the Hainline Theatre Box Office at (309) 298-2900 prior to Nov. 11. The Hainline Box Theatre Office is open from noon-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. "Miss Saigon" will continue each evening through Saturday, Nov. 14. Tickets are $12 for WIU students and $14 for the public.

For more information about Veterans Day activities, contact Meyers at KJ-Meyers@wiu.edu or (309) 298-2092 (until Nov. 11). The center's new phone number will be (309) 298-3505.

Copy By: Darcie Shinberger, University Relations
Phone: (309) 298-1993 * Fax: (309) 298-1606