MEDIA ADVISORY: Medal of Honor Recipient, Rededication of American War Mothers’ Monument Highlight Activities for Veterans Week at MU

Story Contact(s):
Christian Basi, BasiC@missouri.edu, 573-882-4430

WHAT: In honor of those that have served in the military, the University of Missouri will host several activities during the week of Nov. 6. Some highlights include a presentation by Salvatore Giunta who is the first living Medal of Honor recipient since the Vietnam War, the rededication of the American War Mothers’ Monument, and a wreath-laying ceremony.

WHO: Most events are free and open to the public. For full details, please visit: http://mizzoulife.missouri.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/vet-week-2011_11x17.pdf

WHEN & WHERE:

Monday, Nov. 7
Presentation by Carol Graham, who lost two sons (one in war and one by suicide)
7:30 p.m., Stotler Lounge, MU Memorial Union
Carol Graham offers a tale of loss and survival, sharing her personal story of losing her two sons, one by suicide and the other in Iraq. Graham will discuss the importance of noticing suicide warning signs, fighting the stigma associated with depression, and mental health among service members.

Tuesday, Nov. 8
Presentation by Salvatore Giunta, first living Medal of Honor recipient since the Vietnam War
7:30 p.m., Jesse Auditorium, MU campus
Saving his squad from the Taliban during a deadly ambush in Afghanistan, Salvatore Giunta, the first living Medal of Honor recipient since the Vietnam War, will share his story and speak on the importance of teamwork, selflessness and leadership.

Thursday, Nov. 10
Mizzou Joint ROTC Annual Veterans Day Vigil
10:45 a.m. Boone County Courthouse
(through 11:11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 11)

Friday, Nov. 11
Mizzou Joint ROTC Annual Veterans Day Parade
10:45 a.m., Parade begins at the MU Columns, travels along Eight Street to the Boone County Courthouse.

Mizzou Joint ROTC Annual Veterans Day Ceremony
11:11 a.m., Boone County Courthouse.

Rededication of the American War Mothers’ Monument
Noon, east of MU’s Memorial Union.
The American War Mothers’ memorial, in honor of the 117 MU students who were killed in World War I, was originally dedicated on Oct. 25, 1930, on Rollins Street. It was removed in 1987, along with seven trees that were part of the memorial, to widen the street. The memorial was restored recently on the east side of MU’s Memorial Union. Memorial Union was built and named to honor the former MU students who died during World War I.
Speakers include:
MU Chancellor Brady J. Deaton
Nelda Bleckler, the outgoing national president of the American War Mothers association and a Missouri resident.

Wreath-laying ceremony
12:30 p.m., east side of Memorial Union.
Unveiling of U.S. Postal Service’s Purple Heart Forever Stamp
1 p.m., Stotler Lounge, Memorial Union North.
Alex Waigandt, a purple heart recipient and associate professor in the College of Education, will be the featured speaker. A reception will follow.

For a complete list of events, see: http://mizzoulife.missouri.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/vet-week-2011_11x17.pdf