UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State, State College Borough and Centre County will honor military service members, veterans and their families when their service and sacrifices are recognized during a series of military appreciation events in October and November.
Penn State’s Military Appreciation Week officially kicks off with a women’s volleyball game Friday, Oct. 26, and the annual Military Appreciation Game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct 27. The football game, which will celebrate the 100-year anniversary of women in the U.S. Armed Forces, begins two weeks of events and festivities through the Veterans Day observance Monday, Nov. 12.
The planned events, including a community tailgate for military service members, speaker events and more, provide an opportunity for the Penn State community to join together to honor service members, veterans, their families and families of the fallen.
■ Friday, Oct. 26 — Women’s Volleyball Military Appreciation Game
The Nittany Lion women’s volleyball team will celebrate its military appreciation game when it welcomes Indiana to Rec Hall at 7:30 p.m.
■ Saturday, Oct. 27 — Military Appreciation Tailgate and Football Game
Penn State will recognize 100 years of women in the U.S. Armed Forces during the football team’s game against Iowa. Prior to the game, Penn State will host a tailgate for military service members and their guests.
■ Tuesday, Oct. 30 — Centre County Military Appreciation Month Proclamation
Centre County will recognize November as Military Appreciation Month during an event held at the Willowbank Office Building in Bellefonte at 10 a.m.
■ Tuesday, Oct. 30 — Student Veterans Luncheon
Penn State student veterans and female veteran faculty, staff and alumni are invited to attend the third annual Student Veterans Luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. in Robb Hall in the Hintz Family Alumni Center at University Park. Along with a ceremony celebrating local female veterans, retired Col. Priscilla Hamilton, Penn State alumna and professor emerita of the Uniformed Services University, will deliver a talk.
■ Tuesday, Oct. 30 — “Today’s Women Warriors“
Marine Corps Maj. Paige Kennedy and former CIA case officer Shannon McCombie will headline a seminar and Q&A forum about their experiences as women in historically male-dominated fields beginning at 5 p.m. in the Flex Theater at the HUB-Robeson Center.
■ Thursday, Nov. 1 — Penn State Student Veteran and ROTC Library Displays
Paterno and Pattee Libraries will host displays honoring Penn State’s student veterans and ROTC cadets in the Special Collections Room, the Music and Media Commons and the foyer of the Humanities Library.
■ Friday, Nov. 2 — First Friday
November’s First Friday will take place in Downtown State College from 5 to 8 p.m. on the 100 block of South Fraser Street and will feature live performances on the MLK Plaza Stage, prizes, military discounts at participating businesses and military vehicles and organizations. Downtown State College will provide free parking validations for the Fraser Street Garage to all military service members and veterans. This event helps support Penn State’s Military Student Fund, offering financial assistance to military-affiliated students as a needs-based scholarship.
■ Monday, Nov. 5 — Speaker Bryan Anderson
Anderson is an Army veteran of the Iraq War, triple amputee, spokesperson and author of the memoir “No Turning Back.” He will speak in the Flex Theater at the Hub-Robeson Center from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
■ Sunday, Nov. 11 — PTSD Run
Penn State’s Aerospace Studies Student Organization will host the third annual Freedom 5K for PTSD to help raise money and awareness for post-traumatic stress disorder. The run begins at 11 a.m. at the Westgate Building, 332 Info Science and Tech, University Park.
■ Sunday, Nov. 11 — Women’s Basketball Military Appreciation Game
The Lady Lion basketball team will celebrate its military appreciation game when they welcome California at the Bryce Jordan Center at 2 p.m.
■ Monday, Nov. 12 — Military Appreciation Breakfast
Penn State students, faculty and staff who currently serve or have served in the U.S. Armed Forces are invited to attend the 10th annual Military Appreciation Breakfast from 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. in Heritage Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center at University Park. RSVPs are required by Friday, Nov. 2. The theme of this year’s breakfast is “Penn State and Military Service: A Common Thread.” The event will feature Carolyn Foust, a volunteer with Happy Valley Quilts of Valor, who will award five quilts during the event.
■ Monday, Nov. 12 — Veterans Day Ceremony
The Penn State Student Veteran Organization welcomes the public to attend its annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. on the front steps of Old Main to honor and thank all who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
