Events planned to honor veterans, service members

Contact: Allison Matthews

Mississippi State hosts several events and activities through Nov. 17 in honor of the university's student veterans and current members of the armed forces.
Mississippi State hosts several events and activities through Nov. 17 in honor of the university's student veterans and current members of the armed forces.
Photo by: Beth Wynn

STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State University will honor past and present members of the armed forces during more than a week of activities surrounding Veterans Day and culminating with an annual patriotic halftime show Nov. 17 when the Bulldogs host Arkansas.

Ronnie White, assistant director of the university's G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Center for America's Veterans said several events are set to honor or assist veterans who are part of the university family.

"It's our way of trying to honor our student veterans and service members on campus. In addition to our student veterans, we have more than 50 faculty members who are veterans," White said. Veterans Day is celebrated nationally on Sunday [Nov. 11].

The center will begin by hosting current Army and Air Force ROTC cadets for a meal. Other internal events for veterans throughout the week also are planned.

Public events include Thursday's [Nov. 8] address by Robert J. Darling, titled "24 Hours inside the President's Bunker: 9-11-01: The White House." The 5:30 p.m. presentation will take place in McCool Hall's Taylor Auditorium, and is free and open to all.

The public also is invited to MSU's Veterans Day Ceremony Friday [Nov. 9] at 3 p.m. on the Drill Field. The event will feature remarks by President Mark E. Keenum. In addition to the posting of the colors and the National Anthem, the program will include a reading of the names of the war-time deceased from Oktibbeha County. A reception will follow inside the McCool Hall Atrium.

White said a VA Medical Clinic for veterans will be held Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Colvard Student Union, Foster Ballroom U. He said this is an important opportunity for any student veterans to enroll in the VA medical program before they graduate. The event also is open to other local veterans and includes a medical screening.

White said the annual halftime show at an MSU home football game gives special recognition to veterans, service members and their dependents. For more information on the Nov. 17 football game, visit www.hailstate.com.

For more information on events or veterans services information at MSU, contact White at 662-325-6825.