President Young: Celebrate Veterans, Take Part In Campus Activities To Honor Them

From a personal perspective, the immense respect I have for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces stems not only from the extraordinary acts of heroism they demonstrate and the many sacrifices they make, but also from my own experiences as a child whose mother served as a World War II bomber pilot and whose father fought in the Battle of the Bulge. I am also the proud father of children who currently serve our country as members of the Air Force.

On the occasion of Veterans Day, I am honored to extend my deepest gratitude to veterans everywhere—especially Aggie veterans—who serve our great nation in the U.S. Armed Forces. Recognizing our nation’s selfless veterans is particularly important at Texas A&M where our long history of military tradition is integral to the very fabric of our heritage. Furthermore, I am truly thankful that our immensely important military custom continues to thrive as the Corps of Cadets attracts more members today than it has in several decades.

In fact, USA Today has cited Texas A&M as the best institution in the country for providing services to veterans transitioning into civil service careers following their military service. Each and every day, we work at the Veteran Resource and Support Center to support 1,200 current veteran students and many others considering enrollment after their tours of duty. In honor of our veterans, please see the list of activities occurring on campus today.

Warm regards,
Mike Young

Veterans Day Campus Events

• A Veteran’s Day brunch is set for 8:30 a.m. on Friday in Room 205 of the Pavilion.
• A policy-oriented roundtable discussion focusing on veterans transitioning to college life is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. at the Sanders Corps Center. Senator John Cornyn and Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning will participate with five currently-enrolled student veterans in the discussion moderated by Col. Gerald “Jerry” Smith, the director of the center.
• The senior senator for Texas will subsequently keynote a Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Hilton College Station Hotel at noon and then join in ceremonies at 1:30 p.m. formally opening Texas A&M’s new $120 million Veterinary and Biomedical Education Complex.
• The Corps of Cadets will conduct a wreath-laying ceremony on the Corps Plaza at 11:11 a.m. Friday, with Secretary Fanning joining in. The ceremony begins on the 11th day, 11th hour and 11th minute when the World War I Armistice was signed. Wreaths will be placed at the Spanish-American War, WWI and post-WWII memorials located on the Corps Plaza. A 21-gun salute by the Ross Volunteers will follow the wreath laying and will be concluded by the playing of Taps. The ceremony is open to the public.
• The Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. at Veterans Park in the Louis L. Adam Memorial Plaza of Veterans Park and Athletic Complex in College Station, with honored guest Senator John Cornyn.
• Recognition of veterans and current members of the armed forces will happen during the third quarter of the Aggie Football’s Military Appreciation Day game against Ole Miss on Saturday, November 12 at Kyle Field. Members of the Combat Marine Outdoors, an organization for severely wounded Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Navy Corpsmen will receive special attention as well as the opportunity to visit with fellow veterans at the Student Veterans Association tailgate in Spence Park.
• The Bush School and its Public Service Organization (PSO) is honoring veterans with a Veteran’s Wall created to recognize the military service of students, faculty and staff. The wall is currently on display and features photos of each active service member and veteran along with their name and a brief bio and is located in the center of the Bush School.
• Texas A&M is partnering with Operation Hat Trick (OHT) and asking for support of OHT’s mission to assist wounded military veterans by purchasing Texas A&M-OHT branded headwear and apparel from local retailers. To view apparel options and to learn more, visit http://trademarks.tamu.edu/oht/.