Americans across the country remember soldiers who have served in the armed forces on Veteran's Day. The University of Memphis will join the remembrance Monday when it hosts a variety of events to commemorate those who have served in the military.
Joshua Brewster and Austin McDowell, both members of the U of M ROTC, will participate in the Joint Fun Run, which begins at 7 a.m. at Memorial Field behind Scates Hall and the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
Brewster, a third-class shipman in the ROTC program, had a great-grandfather serve in World War II, and his father served in the military.
"It's really important to me, because it shows that we respect our veterans - always respect them - because they served for our country, and that's what we plan on doing in our future," Brewster, a criminal justice major, said.
As part of the ROTC program, Veterans Day is important to others in the program not just to Brewster.
"We plan on being in the military in the future, and then we will become a veteran," Brewster said. "We deserve the respect since we serve for our country and fight for our freedom."
McDowell, like Brewster, is also part of the ROTC program. He's majoring in mechanical engineering and plans to fly airplanes for a living.
"It's important to me, because of the other people that served in this country before us," McDowell said. "It kind of laid the foundation for our country and giving us our freedom and helping us maintain that freedom."
McDowell's great uncle served in Vietnam and retired as a major in the Marines.
"I wanted to be a pilot my whole life. So, I kind of want to go the aviation route. So, my dream was to fly and be a pilot for the country," McDowell said.
There will be a memorial ceremony at 9 a.m. in front of McWherter Library with guest speaker lieutenant colonel Steven Sigloch. A book signing with author Arthur Flowers will follow the ceremony.
The Veterans Information Fair and Reception will take place in the University Center Ballroom at 10 a.m. with guest speaker Henry Hooper, a Vietnam veteran.
The last activity on campus will take place at 1 p.m. The Transformation through Acceptance, Guidance and Spirit program, a collaborative program between Southwest Tennessee Community College and the U of M, put together a musical to finish the celebration of Veterans Day, featuring Playback Memphis and Michael Sanders.
Heather C. Hampton, office coordinator of the Adult and Commuter Student Services, wants people, especially students, to support this cause.
"We want to bring awareness to the community, not only to the students, to honor the sacrifices of the veterans," Hampton said.
The Veterans Day Planning Committee is responsible for the activities taking place on campus. They have been planning for two months with other organizations such as Adult and Commuter Services, Veterans Educational and Benefits Certification, all branches of ROTC, Disability Services for Students, Southwest TN Community College's T.A.G.S. program and U of M's Counseling Center.
Students, faculty and staff who want to participate in the Fun Run Monday can pick up forms in room 243 of the University Center, room 110 of Wilder Tower and room 118 of Hayden Hall.
