Community invited to campus Veterans Day celebrations, events

LAWRENCE – In honor of Veterans Day, the University of Kansas will host a variety of events Nov. 7-11. Most events are open to the public.

“This series of events is one of the many ways the KU community embraces our military-affiliated students,” said April Blackmon Strange, KU Military-Affiliated Student Center director. “We hope students and community members will join us in one or more of these activities as we recognize and honor those who have served in the armed forces.”

Nov 7:

• KU Veterans and Nontraditional Student Breakfast, 8:30-11 a.m., Forum C & D, Burge Union. This free event is open to all KU students and their families and will include a spotlight on campus services and resources. Students are welcome to come and go as they please.
• Marine Corps 244^th birthday commemoration, 10:30 a.m., Dole Institute of Politics. The event is free and open to the public.

Nov 10:

• Marine Corps birthday cake, 8:45 a.m., Memorial Stadium parking lot. KU Naval ROTC and KU Student Veterans of America will celebrate the Marine Corps birthday with ceremonial cake cutting just before the start of the KU Vets Day 5K.
• KU Vets Day 5K, 9 a.m., begins and ends at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. The event commemorates the 75^th anniversary of the GI Bill. A virtual run option is available for anyone who is unable to make it to campus. Participants receive a shirt and finisher’s medal.
• Tribute to Veteran’s Gala, 6-8:30 p.m., Dole Institute of Politics. RSVP by Nov. 4. The gala will include a salute to veterans from the KU ROTC programs as well as an evening with the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra. Attendees will enjoy World War II-era music, light hors-d'oeuvres and beverages. Admission is free, but space is limited.

Nov 11:

• Free meals for KU veterans – KU Dining Services will offer free meals to KU veterans at all dining locations: the Underground at Wescoe Hall; The Market, Chick-fil-A and Impromptu Café at the Kansas Union; Courtside Café at the DeBruce Center; all campus Roasterie locations; and all residential dining centers. Please present military/veterans ID, driver’s license with veteran's designation or DD-214 at checkout.
• Kansas Union Rededication, 11 a.m., Kansas Union entry arch. The Kansas Union will be rededicated as a World War I memorial. The reconstituted arch contains 129 inscribed stars, one for each of the Jayhawks who perished in the First World War. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments and an opportunity to write messages of appreciation will be set up inside the Union on the fourth floor throughout the day, and the Level Six Traditions Tower Loft contains permanent photo portraits of each of the fallen. Activation of the Kansas Union archway’s starlight feature will occur at 11 p.m.

In addition to the various activities, KU ROTC cadets and midshipmen will be posted in uniform at KU’s war memorial sites along Memorial Drive. Their annual 24-hour vigil begins at 6 p.m. Nov. 9.