OSU hosting special displays and events to bring attention to veterans and their needs
Monday, November 9, 2015
A display of 6,832 flags, honoring those who gave their lives in U.S. military operations during the Global War on Terrorism since 2001, is on display at the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater Nov. 9 - 11. Veterans will also be recognized at OSU this month with a traveling memorial, a Veterans Day ceremony and an appreciation dinner.
“The activities are designed to increase awareness on campus for our veterans and recognize the contributions they’ve made to our nation and the OSU community,” said Rick Hansen, coordinator of the new office of Veteran Student Academic Services at OSU. “As our efforts progress, we hope to extend that recognition to veteran-specific issues as well.”
Two podiums with a roster of fallen service members in Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, and Inherent Resolve will be available for viewing at the Edmon Low Library Plaza. Rosters include: name, rank, branch of service, and home of record of each service member who has given his or her life in defense of our nation since 9/11.
A memorial titled, “Remembering Our Fallen,” will offer a stark and emotional reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by 121 Oklahomans killed in the Global War on Terrorism while wearing our country’s uniform in a war zone. The photo memorial, which includes military and personal photos of each of Oklahoma’s fallen, is traveling throughout the state and will be on display just inside the entrance to the lobby of the Student Union Theater Nov. 19 - 29.
A Veterans Day ceremony will be held at the Edmon Low Library Plaza on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. Commander Yvonne Roberts, U.S. Navy (Ret), facilities manager, College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology will be the guest speaker. Richard “Todd” Giager, president of the OSU-Stillwater Veteran Students Organization and former U.S. Navy corpsman, will also speak. The national anthem and “America the Beautiful” will be performed by Claire Grace, Miss Brookside Outstanding Teen. Taps will be performed by Benjamin Miles and Kevin Kamau.
A Veterans Appreciation Dinner is also set for Wednesday at the ConocoPhillips Alumni Center for veterans among the students, faculty, and staff at OSU. A reception starts at 6:30 p.m. and ceremonies will begin at 7 p.m. The guest speaker will be U.S. Army Brigadier General Hopper T. Smith, who serves as assistant adjutant general for the Oklahoma Army National Guard. Claire Grace will again sing the national anthem during a presentation of our flags by the OSU Army ROTC Color Guard. The OSU-Stillwater Veteran Student Organization will recognize a faculty or staff member at the event for their exemplary support of student veterans on campus during academic year 2014-2015. This is the inaugural award and will be awarded annually at the Veterans Appreciation Dinner.
Veterans Student Academic Services began operating in July at OSU and one of its primary tasks is to coordinate with campus, community, state and federal organizations to provide services to veterans. Since September, veteran services officers with the Disabled American Veterans and representatives from the State of Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs have met with 82 veterans on campus, with 60 receiving claims assistance.
OSU is working with the Vet-Center in Tulsa to provide a counselor who could offer mental health services on campus for combat veterans and veterans who have been victims of sexual assault while in the military as well as their family members on campus. Currently, student veterans must travel to Oklahoma City to receive these services. Though still in the planning stages, the hope is that such services could start as early as January 2016.
For more information, contact: University College, 040 Student Union, Stillwater OK 74078, call (405)744-1389, or email militaryveterans@okstate.edu. You can also contact Richard Hansen at (405)-744-1390 or richard.hansen@okstate.edu.
The “Remembering Our Fallen” memorial and 17 other state memorials representing half of our country’s fallen since 9/11, have been created by Patriotic Productions, a non-profit organization headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. The goal is to complete a memorial for every state. For more information online, go to RememberingOurFallen.org or PatrioticProductions.org.