Tennessee Tech salutes veterans with weeklong celebrations, events
Tennessee Tech University will once again recognize and honor veteran students, faculty, staff and community members with its annual Veterans Week celebration, hosted by Tech’s Office of Military & Veteran Affairs.
The week begins with Tech’s official Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10, in the Tech Pride Room on the first floor of the Roaden University Center. The public is invited to attend the program, which will include remarks from retired Army Lt. Col. Brad Dalton, who now serves as senior Army instructor for Cookeville High School JROTC. Light refreshments will be available following the ceremony.
Tuesday, Nov. 11, is the federal Veterans Day holiday. No classes will be held; campus offices will remain open.
On Wednesday, Nov. 12, campus departments will take part in a Veterans Appreciation Day, recognizing the contributions of military-affiliated students, employees and family members. That evening, Tennessee Tech will host a Veterans Town Hall from 4–7 p.m. in the Roaden University Center’s Tech Pride Room. Heather Elliott, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs outreach specialist, will speak at approximately 5:15 p.m. The free event is open to local veterans and their families and will cover VA benefits and services.
The festivities continue Thursday, Nov. 13, with a Veterans Block Party and the traditional kickball game at Walton Park, scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The matchup will pit Tennessee Tech veterans, faculty, staff and alumni against the university’s Army ROTC cadets. Light refreshments will be provided.
Tech will close the week by observing “Red Out Day” on Friday, Nov. 14. The campus community is encouraged to wear red to show support for veterans and their service.
“Veterans and military families are an essential part of what makes Tennessee Tech special,” said Vance Fraley, director of Tech’s Office of Military & Veteran Affairs. “Veterans Week is a time for our university community to come together to honor their service and reaffirm our gratitude for their continued contributions on campus and beyond.”
Tennessee Tech is recognized as a “Best for Vets” university by Military Times and is named a “Military Support College” by Colleges of Distinction. Learn more about Tech’s commitment to veteran and active-duty military students and find a full schedule of Veterans Week activities at https://www.tntech.edu/veterans/veterans-week.php.