Veterans Day, this year coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, will be commemorated the week of Nov. 11-17 and beyond at University of Wisconsin-Stout.
Several activities have been planned for the week, and a special WWI-themed concert is scheduled in early December.
Veterans Day is Sunday, Nov. 11, and will be officially observed Monday, Nov. 12.
In 1918 an armistice signed Nov. 11 by the Allies and Germany ended fighting in WWI. The date later became known as Veterans Day.
The U.S. entered the war in 1917. Approximately 120 Stout Institute students and alumni served. Five of them died, according to the book, “An Idea Comes of Age: UW-Stout, 1891-2016.”
The first casualty was alumnus Marvin Thompson, 22, a Menomonie native. He died July 15, 1918, in France, where he is buried.
Veterans Week events
The Veteran Services Office, the Veterans Club and the Army ROTC program at UW-Stout are coordinating Veterans Week events.
- On Monday, memorial flags will be placed in the amphitheater of the Memorial Student Center, one for each member of the U.S. military who died while serving the country in the past year.
- On Tuesday, the Veterans Club and ROTC will hold the Freezin’ for Freedom fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the lawn south of the student center. The public can pay to throw water balloons at veterans and ROTC cadets. Proceeds will go to the Military Science Club.
- On Wednesday, the Veterans Administration Medical Center will provide health care information to veterans from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the student center. A suicide prevention team from the VA will hold a free Operation SAVE suicide prevention workshop from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
- On Friday, join the ROTC for a physical training session from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. at Johnson Fieldhouse, followed by a free breakfast for campus veterans in Merle M. Price Commons.
Veteran Services will have an information table in the student center during the week and a world map at which veterans can mark where they have served.
Symphonic Singers, Chamber Choir WWI commemorative concert
UW-Stout’s Symphonic Singers and Chamber Choir will host one of the official World War I Centennial Commission events at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 910 9th St. E.
The concert will mostly feature music from the United Kingdom, France and Germany composed during the war.
Conducted by Associate Professor Jerry Hui, with pianist Michaela Gifford, the Silent Night program will highlight stories from the Christmas Truce, when soldiers from both sides ceased fire over Christmas to sing carols, greet each other and exchange gifts.
Collaborating with UW-Stout on the program are University Archives and the Dunn County Historical Society, which have researched university and local history during the time. Historical accounts will be read during the concert, and an exhibit will include war artifacts.
Tickets are $5 and are available online, at the Service Center in the student center, 715-232-1122, and at the door.
Memorial Student Center
The Memorial Student Center is named in honor of university students, faculty and staff who have served their country. A wall of honor on the lower level recognizes those who have died while serving.
###
Photos
The Memorial Student Center has plaques honoring those from UW-Stout who died serving their country. Marvin Thompson, an alumnus, was the first. He died in World War I.
For Veterans Day, flags are placed each year in the amphitheater of the Memorial Student Center at UW-Stout. The flags represent the number of active service members who died in the past year.
