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Vigil, flag retreat among events to commemorate Veterans Day

The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine ROTC programs and The Dole Institute of Politics will honor service men and women with a host of Veterans Day events.

The events will start at 4:30 p.m., Nov. 6, with the formal retiring of the colors in front of Strong Hall. Afterward, retired Lt. Gen. Robert Arter will be speaking in the main auditorium of Budig Hall. Arter served as an infantry officer in both Korea and Vietnam. As a brigadier general he served as the commanding general of the Third ROTC Region; the deputy commanding general, U.S. Training Center and Fort Ord; assistant division commander, 7th Infantry Division; and deputy commandant, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.

Following the speech, Army, Navy and Air Force cadets will begin their annual 24- hour Veterans Day vigil at KU’s war memorials. The vigil begins at 7 p.m. Nov. 6, and concludes at 7 p.m. Nov. 7. Cadets will stand in observance of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for the nation’s defense. There will be two cadets posted at the Campanile World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial and the Vietnam War Memorial.

A Veterans Day 5K Race will take place on campus at 7 a.m. Nov. 7, starting and ending at the Burge Union. Pre-race registration starts at 6:30 a.m. in the Burge Union parking lot. To register for the event online go to www.active.com and search for Lawrence Veterans Day 5K. Registration will also take place on Wescoe Beach, Nov. 2 through 6. The proceeds will be donated to the National Veterans Foundation.

The Dole Institute of Politics will team with ROTC to host a special salute to veterans, followed by music and dancing in “A Tribute to Veterans: USO Style” on Nov. 15. The recognition program begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by music and dancing to the sounds of the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra until 9 p.m. at the Dole Institute. Veterans, their families and friends are invited.

Reservations are required. Interested parties must confirm their place by calling (785) 864-4900 or emailing doleinstitute@ku.edu by Nov. 9.

“There is no greater sacrifice than serving one’s country,” said Barbara Ballard, associate director of civic engagement at the Dole Institute of Politics. “Honoring those who have fought for the safety of our nation is one of our greatest joys at the Dole Institute. We’re very excited to present this tribute to veterans and to give them an evening of fun and friends.”

‘“A Tribute to Veterans: USO Style’ is inspired by the United Service Organization clubs that many service men and women frequented, especially during World War II. These clubs were friendly and comfortable, a home-away-from-home at times. We hope this event will inspire that same feeling,” said Ballard.

In addition to “A Tribute to Veterans: USO Style”, the Dole Institute honors Kansas World War II veterans year-round through its Memory Project. The Memory Project invites submission of photographs of Kansas World War II veterans for inclusion in a digital kiosk that allows visitors to the Dole Institute to call up the photographs of more than 3,000 service men and women.

The digital kiosk was added in November 2003 to augment the Memory Wall, which hangs above the Dole Institute entrance and displays the photos of more than 900 Kansas veterans.

Photographs may be submitted via email to doleinstitute@ku.edu, via mail or in person. They should be sent to: Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas, c/o Memory Wall, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS 66045