Eighth annual salute to U-M military service men, women kicks off

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The eighth annual salute to the university’s military service men and women, which began Sunday with the 10th annual Army vs. Navy Wheelchair Basketball Game, continues through Nov. 12.  

The campus community is encouraged to take this opportunity to honor those who have and are serving, and to learn about their lives and experiences.

The 12-day 2015 celebration is more comprehensive and inclusive than ever, including a Nov. 9 panel discussion by Vietnam veterans talking about their service, sacrifice and homecoming from a uniquely unpopular war, and Paul Schwimmer sharing his experiences on the History Flight team as they locate and bring home the remains of missing WWII soldiers.

Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan take the floor on Nov. 10, followed by Korean War veterans talking about their service in America’s “Forgotten War.” The popular service dog demonstration will wrap up the day, along with a screening of the film, “Project 22,” the story of two veterans’ cross-country effort to raise awareness about suicide and suicide prevention among veterans.

On Nov. 11, the university’s observance of Veterans Day will begin at dawn, when cadets of the U-M Reserve Officers Training Corps ceremoniously raise the Central Campus Diag flag.

As the day continues, U-M student veterans will discuss their time in the military and their transition to U-M; Gulf War veterans will share their experiences; all U-M faculty, student and staff who are veterans will be honored at a luncheon; and the Department of Veterans Affairs will make resource people available to answer questions about VA health care.

After the ROTC cadets lower the flag at 5 p.m., the university and Ann Arbor-area community is invited to the inaugural gala entitled “Service Above Self – Honoring our Veterans” at Hill Auditorium. The gala is hosted primarily by the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor along with numerous local organizations, including the university’s Office of Veteran and Military Services.

U-M’s Veterans Week celebration concludes Nov. 12 with a communitywide discussion about “Veterans of Color,” including a panel of experts and keynote remarks by retired Marine Maj. General William A. Henderson, a decorated Ann Arbor resident and 2012 Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame inductee.

All events, except the appreciation lunch, are open to the public and do not require an entry fee or tickets.

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