MEDIA ADVISORY: MU to Celebrate Veterans Week with ROTC Parade, Wreath Laying Ceremony

November 14th, 2015

WHAT: In recognition of Veterans Day and in honor of those who have served in the military, the University of Missouri will host several activities during the week of Nov. 7. Highlights include an annual parade hosted by the Air Force ROTC and the annual wreath laying ceremony, which honors veterans who are MU students, faculty and staff.

WHO: All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

WHEN & WHERE: Nov. 7-13, various campus locations. Events include:
Saturday, Nov. 7
MIZZOU JOINT ROTC VETERANS DAY VIGIL
11:11 a.m.
Boone County Courthouse,
705 E. Walnut St.
Cadets and midshipmen from ROTC units at Mizzou will hold a vigil near the war memorials at the Boone County Courthouse. A military detail will march every hour from Nov. 7 to Nov. 8. The event is coordinated by AFROTC, Detachment 440.

Sunday, Nov. 8
MIZZOU JOINT ROTC ANNUAL VETERANS DAY PARADE
10:30 a.m.
Boone County Courthouse,
705 E. Walnut St.
The annual University of Missouri Veterans Day parade hosted by Air Force ROTC will begin at the Mizzou Columns traveling along Eighth Street to the Boone County Courthouse. Several Boone County veterans and commemorative organizations will participate. A short ceremony will take place at the Boone County Courthouse immediately following the parade. The event is coordinated by AFROTC, Detachment 440.

Monday, Nov. 9
STUDENT VETERAN PANEL AND LUNCH
Noon – 1 p.m.
Room S-110, Memorial Student Union, MU Campus
Mizzou student veterans will participate in a panel presentation to share information on their transition to Mizzou. Free lunch provided. The event is sponsored by the Mizzou Student Veterans Association and the Department of Student Life.

Tuesday, Nov. 10
VETERANS WEEK: BLOOD DRIVE
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Stotler Lounge, Memorial Student Union, MU Campus
Sponsored by Missouri Student Veterans Association.

Wednesday, Nov. 11
VETERANS CLINIC SYMPOSIUM
8 a.m.–1 p.m.
Room 7, Hulston Hall, MU Campus
The Veterans Clinic at the University of Missouri School of Law will host its second annual symposium, “Traumatic Brain Injury: Lessons Learned from Our Nation’s Athletes and Military.” Panelists will discuss the relationship between injuries observed in athletes and service members. The featured keynote speaker is Susan Okie, former medical reporter and national science editor of the Washington Post.

VETERANS WEEK: WREATH LAYING CEREMONY
Noon
Memorial Tower, Memorial Student Union, MU Campus
The event recognizing MU veterans begins with a ceremony that includes a guest speaker and the annual laying of the wreath tradition. Additionally, the Remembrance Day National Roll Call will remember those who died while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The ceremony concludes with a minute of silence at 1 p.m. and the playing of Taps throughout the campus by members of Marching Mizzou. A reception in Memorial Union will follow the ceremony. This is sponsored by the Missouri Student Unions.

“I SUPPORT MIZZOU VETERANS” PHOTO
12:50 p.m.
Memorial Student Union Archway, MU Campus
All students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to be a part of the annual “I Support Mizzou Veterans” photo, which is sponsored by MSA/GPC, the Missouri Student Veterans Association and the Department of Student Life.

FREE VETERANS DAY FILM: MAX
8 p.m.
Wrench Auditorium, Memorial Student Union, MU Campus
A dog that helped save U.S. Marines in Afghanistan returns to the U.S. and is adopted by his handler’s family after suffering a traumatic experience. The event is sponsored by MSA/GPC Films Committee.

Thursday, Nov.12
THANK YOU CARDS FOR VETERANS
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Main Level, MU Student Center, MU Campus
The public is invited to make thank you cards that will be sent to veterans at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital. All supplies for the cards will be furnished. The event is sponsored by Campus Activities Department of Student Life.

MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT RYAN PITTS
7:30 p.m.
Jesse Auditorium
Ryan Pitts was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan on July 13, 2008, when a well-organized Anti-Afghan Force consisting of more than 200 members initiated a close proximity assault against the Wanat Vehicle Patrol Base. Pitts will speak about his experience. The event is sponsored by the Mizzou Student Veterans Association, the Mizzou Speakers Series, the ORG, Veterans United and the MSA/GPC Speakers Committee.