Numerous events scheduled to honor military veterans

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Students and employees at Western Michigan University will be engaging this year in a lengthy celebration of Veterans Day, which is officially observed Wednesday, Nov. 11.

They will be participating in a wide range of on- and off-campus activities that are being sponsored by WMU or that attract numerous volunteers from the University. In recognition of WMU's more than 1,800 international students, major campus events honor veterans and members of the military from all countries, along with their families.

A summary of the University's "Veterans Week" and precursor activities follows. For more information, as well as activity updates and additions, visit the WMU Office of Military and Veterans Affairs at wmich.edu/military and click Events or WMU News at wmich.edu/news and click Events Calendar. Those with questions also may write wmu-international@wmich.edu or call (269)387-3993.

Veterans Week events

Friday, Nov. 6

• Rotating roundtable discussions (not open to the public)—Career Conversations for Veterans, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dean's Conference Room, Schneider Hall, WMU. Discussion topics relate to resume writing, networking and other employability skills. Preparatory event for the Boots to Suits Career Fair Tuesday, Nov. 10. Lunch provided.

 Monday, Nov. 9

• Panel discussion—"Military Family Life: Families, Service Members and Veterans," noon to 1:30 p.m., 157-159«Bernhard Center, WMU. Retired U.S. Army Col. Angela Pereira and military family members will share their experiences of family life amid military acronyms, weekend drills and deployments.

Tuesday, Nov. 10

• Blood drive—To honor past and present military veterans, noon to 5:45 p.m., indoor tennis courts, Student Recreation Center, WMU. Walk-in donors are welcome. To schedule an appointment, contact Cris Obreiter at (269) 387-8120.
• Readings by student and guest military veterans—"Stories from the Barracks to the Front," noon to 1:30 p.m., Multicultural Center, Trimpe Building, WMU.
  
• Career fair (not open to the public)—Boots to Suits Career Fair, 4 to 7 p.m., 208-209« Bernhard Center, WMU. Open to all student and local military members and veterans as well as their dependents.

Wednesday, Nov. 11

• Talk—"Homefront Debriefings: The Lives of Veterans in the First Civilian Division," by former U.S. Marine Benjamin Busch, noon to 1:30 p.m., Putney Auditorium, Fetzer Center, WMU. Busch is a writer, filmmaker, photographer and actor known for his roles on HBO's "The Wire" and "Generation Kill." His talk will be a precursor to three discussion sessions he will facilitate at WMU during the spring 2016 semester that are open to U.S. and international veterans.
• Military appreciation night—At the Bronco football game, 8 p.m., Waldo Stadium, WMU.

Thursday, Nov. 12

• Panel discussion—"Listen to the Vets," noon to 1:30 p.m., 157-159 Bernhard Center, WMU. The program provides an opportunity for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to share their personal experiences to help the community better understand the impact of war on those who fight it.
• ROTC luncheon (not open to the public)—For all veterans, on and off campus, 2 to 4 p.m., 1310 Activity Therapy Building, WMU. Army ROTC students and veterans will share their experiences and enjoy a complementary lunch.

Friday, Nov. 13

• Unit T-Shirt Day—Show camaraderie and military-unit pride by wearing unit swag or a favorite unit T-shirt.
• Scholarship fundraiser—Dancing with the WMU/Kazoo Stars, 7:30 p.m., Miller Auditorium, WMU. Retired Army 1st Sgt. Billy Clayton, military outreach and recruitment coordinator in the Center for Academic Success Programs, will be representing the University's military population this annual ballroom competition to raise money for WMU dance scholarships. For complete details, visit wmich.edu/dance/events/stars.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.