A veteran of two wars to share his perspective on Veterans Day
The University will celebrate the 100th anniversary of ROTC on campus as part of its annual Veterans Day observance this year. Ernest Stadvec, an alumnus of both UA and ROTC, and a veteran of two wars, will begin the day as the guest speaker at our annual breakfast, which is open to all veterans on campus and in the community.
Ernest Stadvec
This year, Veterans Day is on Sunday, Nov. 11, and will be observed on main campus and The University of Akron Wayne College on Monday, Nov. 12. Both campuses will be open and classes will be held.
“The Little Gold Bars” is the title for the talk by Stadvec, who earned a B.A. in Political Science here in 1950 on the G.I. Bill, after serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II. The Akron native, who participated in our ROTC program and was commissioned when he graduated, went on to serve as a pilot with the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He later served in the Air Force Reserve.
During his years at UA, Stadvec played both baseball and football at the varsity level. In 2012, he was inducted into our Varsity “A” Sports Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Mike Krino Varsity “A” Achievement Award.
The breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. in the Jean Hower Taber Student Union Ballroom. Reservations can be made by contacting Tamra Dixon at tjd1@uakron.edu or 330-972-7455. The deadline for reservations is Nov. 6.
More activities are planned as part of our Veterans Day observance by offices and groups that include the Military Services Center, UA Army ROTC, Choose Ohio First, Zips Programming Network, American Legion Post 808 and Student Veterans Association. Here's the list, beginning with a Five-Star Friday event on Nov. 9.
► The Summit County Veterans Service Commission, with David Burden, and Choose Ohio First, with Alex DeJarnett, will provide a Resume and Mock Interview Workshop on Friday, Nov. 9, in Simmons Hall 301, beginning at 9 a.m. “Translating Military Experience to the Civilian Career Market, Resume Preparation and Assistance with Professional Dress Attire” is the title for the event. It is being co-sponsored by Continental, Men’s Warehouse, New York & Company our Student Veterans Association, American Legion Post 808 on campus and the Military Services Center.
For Veterans Day 2018, we're also celebrating the 100th anniversary of ROTC on campus. The program has provided generations of cadets, like those pictured above in the Veterans Lounge in InfoCision Stadium, with training in leadership and a variety of other skills.
► At Wayne College on Friday, Nov. 9, the fifth annual Veterans Day Luncheon and Recognition Ceremony will be hosted at 11 a.m. in the Student Life Building on campus, 1901 Smucker Road, Orrville. The event is free for veterans and a family member, but seating is limited. Registration is required and can be made online at Veterans Day Luncheon or by calling 330-684-8973. Following social time from 11 to 11:30 a.m., with Stair Steps to Wellness providing complimentary chair massages to veterans who arrive early, a ceremony and lunch will start at 11:30 a.m.
Lt. Col. Jessica Brantner
► Lt. Col. Jessica M. Brantner of the U.S. Air Force will provide the keynote address. She is assigned to the 911th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station, where she serves as the chief nurse, Brantner, a resident of Seville, is a 15-year member of the Air Force who has served deployments in Iraq, Germany and Qatar.
► On Monday, Nov. 12, the Military Services Center will sponsor the 10th annual Honoring Those Who Serve Celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Musson Veterans Lounge in InfoCision Stadium on the third floor. Veterans will be honored for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. Refreshments and door prizes will be provided. The event is free and open to the public.
► Also from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., a Veterans Resource Fair open to all students, alumni and community members who are veterans or military service members will be held on the third floor of InfoCision Stadium. Campus and community representatives will be available to provide specific information on military benefits and resources for military service members.
► On Tuesday, Nov. 13, an episode of the documentary, “The American Veteran — Our Heroes in Uniform,” will be shown at 5:30 p.m. in the Jean Hower Taber Student Union Theatre. The episode, which focuses on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is part of the 13-episode series that has aired on PBS. The series covers various facets of the American veteran experience. A panel discussion, featuring documentary participants and local professionals, will follow. Food and beverages will be served. This event, which is open to the public, is co-sponsored by Zips Programming Network, American Legion Post 808, Student Veterans Association and the Military Services Center.
► On Wednesday, Nov. 14, a Community and Veterans Career Expo will be held in the Jean Hower Taber Student Union Ballroom. The first hour, between 10 and 11 a.m., is open to veterans only. Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., the expo will be open to veterans, students and the public. More than 70 area employers will be in attendance to conduct on-site interviews. Professional interview attire should be worn. Parking and admission are free. For more information, call the Military Services Center at 330-972-7838 or register online.