“A special Veterans Memorial dedication Friday, Nov. 9 will kick off two days of special military events at West Texas A&M University to honor and recognize the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
University officials and representatives of the armed forces along with Gold Star families, community members and dignitaries from state and local governments will gather at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9 on Old Main’s southeast lawn to dedicate the WTAMU Veterans Memorial. An honor flight with vintage aircraft will participate in the dedication activities, and members of the 77thArmy Marching Band will perform. Hot dogs and apple pie will be served following the dedication.
The WTAMU Veterans Memorial features five benches dedicated to the five military branches—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard—with flag poles and granite tablets engraved with the names of the University’s fallen veterans.
The University has a rich tradition of supporting the men and women in each branch of the military. Many from the WTAMU community have died while serving their country, and the memorial will honor their sacrifice. The names of the University’s fallen veterans engraved on the tablets will include seven from World War I, 54 from World War II, three from Korea, 23 from Vietnam and one during the Iraq War.
WTAMU’s special military activities will continue on Saturday, Nov. 10 with the University’s sixth annual Military Veterans Ball in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center, Legacy Hall. The ball, a community celebration of service and scholarship, begins with a 5 p.m. cocktail hour, followed by dinner at 6 p.m.
The evening will include the traditional presentation of colors, roll call, live and silent actions and dancing to the music of Insufficient Funds. Plus, Dr. Bruce Brasington, professor of history, will be the featured guest speaker. He will present “Not Fade Away: The Meaning of the Great War in Three Pictures” in honor of the Armistice Day Centennial. Tickets can be purchased at wtamu.edu/veteransball, at the information desk in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center or by calling 806-651-2070.”
-West Texas A&M University
