The University’s Veteran and Military Services will host its annual Veterans Celebration on Friday, Nov. 2 with a lunch and networking event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Scanlon Banquet Hall and a panel discussion beginning at 1:40 p.m. in Dever Stage.
According to Veteran and Military Services Coordinator Lisa Ducharme, this year’s events coincide with the centennial anniversary of the end of World War I. Beginning Nov. 1 and through Veterans Day (Nov. 11), the pillars in Scanlon Banquet Hall will be wrapped in commemorative photographs submitted by members of the Westfield State community to honor military-connected individuals.
On Friday, Nov. 2 a celebratory “A Century of Honor” lunch and networking event beginning at 11:30 a.m. will be held for Westfield State’s military-connected students, faculty, staff and alumni. To register or for more information, click here.
Following the lunch, a panel discussion “A Century of Honor—A Look at How Things Have Changed” will begin in Dever Stage at 1:40 p.m. Panelists include:
- Nicholas Aieta, Ph.D.—Professor of History, Westfield State University
- Martin Henley, Ph.D.—U.S. Navy Veteran; Professor Emeritus, Westfield State University; and author
- Joseph Hall: U.S. Army Reserves & Veteran; Bronze Star Medal recipient; and History major, Westfield State University
The first 100 attendees of the panel discussion will receive a complimentary, commemorative bell in honor of the WWI centennial anniversary. According to Ducharme, the U.S. WWI Centennial Commission is asking that the bells be rung in honor of veterans’ service and sacrifice on Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m.