UA to honor veterans with a week of tributes and celebrations
A uniformed member of Marlboro Volunteers Inc., answers questions during the group's visit to campus last year. They will return Nov. 10-11 during UA's celebration of Veterans Week.
The University of Akron will observe Veterans Day with a week entirely dedicated to honoring those who served our country. A variety of activities, films and exhibits are planned for the campus and Akron communities to celebrate veterans and service members.
Master Sgt. Mark Patterson
To kickoff Veterans Week, join one of UA’s own — Master Sergeant Mark Patterson — for the premiere of “Korengal” – an Afghan war documentary told from a U.S. soldier’s perspective – starring Patterson himself. The documentary will begin at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10, in the Student Union Theatre.
“[What I like about the film] is that it captures everything that took place. Nothing is embellished,” says Patterson, who is a senior military instructor for military science. “What I hope the viewers take away is that war is not all glitz and glamour. This is a profession [service members] choose to do, and we are just doing our jobs.”
After the premiere, Patterson will answer questions from the audience about his role in the film.
Living History Display returns to campus
On both Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 10 and 11, Coleman Common will be the setting for uniformed members of Marlboro Volunteers Inc., a nonprofit educational organization, to present the Living History Display of Historical Military Equipment. The 70-foot mobile museum includes equipment dated from 1776 to the present. Visitors can also expect to see a field hospital covering circa 1943-1980, a MKT 85 Field Kitchen, a M151 MUT Jeep and a WWII Jeep.
Tim Gorrell
On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, UA’s Army ROTC will sponsor an array of events throughout the day to recognize past and present service members. A continental breakfast will be served at 8 a.m. in the Student Union Ballroom, followed by guest speaker UA Provost Mike Sherman, at 9 a.m. The ceremony will proceed outdoors to the Buchtel Hall flagpole for remarks by retired U.S. Army Col. Tim Gorrell, director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, and a 21-gun salute by ROTC cadets.
Students and guests are encouraged to sign cards for deployed U.S. service members at the Student Union from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on the fifth floor of InfoCision Stadium from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., courtesy of Undergraduate and Graduate Student Governments.
Veterans Resource Fair
The sixth annual “Honoring Those Who Serve Celebration” will also be under way at the stadium in the third floor Musson Veterans Lounge, while a Veterans Resource Fair will be held on the fifth floor.
On Wednesday, Nov. 12, the Veteran Career and Community Job Fair will be held at UA’s Quaker Station, 135 South Broadway, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nearly 50 employers are expected to be on hand.
Veterans Week festivities will conclude with the Veterans Rockin’ Celebration in the Student Union Ballrooms on Thursday, Nov. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. that will feature singing, dancing, food, prize drawings and more.
For a complete schedule of speakers, films and programs, visit UA’s Veterans Week Events online.
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Story by Bre Koch
Media contact: Denise Henry, 330-972-6477 or henryd@uakron.edu.