Monday, November 07, 2005

By Emily Walsh, PR Intern

Wilmington, N.C. – The University of North Carolina Wilmington Student Veterans Organization invites students, staff, faculty and members of the community to attend a ceremony to commemorate Veterans Day. The gathering will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11 on the Campus Commons in front of Randall Library.

A moment of silence, marked by the chiming of the UNCW Clock Tower, will be observed at 11:11 (the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month) that morning.

Guest speakers include Tyrone Rowell, former UNCW senior associate vice chancellor for university advancement, who was enlisted and associated with the U.S. Army Reserves for 29 years, as well as Ernie Kniffen and J.A. Price, leaders of the organization. They will discuss the history of Veterans Day and the connection that UNCW has with military veterans. Nancy King, assistant professor of music, will perform “American Anthem,” in honor of the military veterans.

Elaine Hogan, an academic advisor and lecturer at UNCW says of the importance of this event, “Given the proximity of our campus to the major military bases of southeastern North Carolina, UNCW has a significant number of military members and their families who chose to attend this university and an increasing number of veterans who have recently returned from active duty are included in our student population.” Hogan’s daughter, Patty, a 2001 UNCW graduate, is currently serving in the U.S. Navy.

Pamela Evers, associate professor of business law and faculty advisor to the SVO, noted that, “A ceremony on Veterans Day is significant to honor the sacrifices, both past and present, made by our troops around the world in service for their country. I hope that everyone, regardless of their political views, will demonstrate their support for our men and women in uniform.”

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