New Mexico State University will host Military and Veterans Appreciation week, Nov. 11-19, to honor NMSU students, faculty and staff members who have served or are serving in the armed forces.
The week is made possible thanks to the combined effort of the Military and Veterans Programs, the Military and Family Communication Team, the Air Force and Army ROTC in the College of Arts and Sciences and the NMSU Student Veterans Organization.
“Military and Veterans Appreciation Week allows NMSU to honor students, faculty and staff that have served and sacrificed for our great country,” said Hector Sanchez, Military and Veterans Programs director. “I would also like to thank our donors who have made the Military and Veterans Appreciation week possible.”
The week begins Friday, Nov. 11, with the opening ceremony and dedication at Aggie Memorial Tower at 9 a.m. with NMSU Chancellor Garrey Carruthers as the featured speaker.
At 11 a.m. the Las Cruces Veterans Day Parade will be held in downtown Las Cruces. Military and Veterans Programs and the NMSU Student Veterans Organization will participate in the parade.
The NMSU basketball doubleheader will be Military Appreciation night. The women’s team will play San Jose State at 5:30 p.m. and the men’s team will face Arizona Christian at 7:30 p.m. at the Pan American Center.
From 7-8 p.m., Paws and Stripes, a nonprofit organization providing service dogs for wounded military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury through integrating service dog training and education with mental health, will have a lecture from Stephanie Barger at the Atkinson Recital Hall. Tickets are $3 and sales are donated to the organization. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
On Sunday, Nov. 13, the NMSU Air Force and Army ROTC will host the Armed Forces 5K Run at Aggie Memorial Stadium. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. with the race that includes an obstacle course to follow at 8 a.m. The fee is $25. Online registration is available at https://shopcart.nmsu.edu/shop/milvet.
On Monday, Nov. 14, military and family panel discussions will be held at the Health and Social Services auditorium with New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services Secretary Jack R. Fox giving opening remarks at 9 a.m. Panel discussions include the New Mexico Vets Services panel from 9:30-10:30 a.m., the Women in the Military panel from 10:45-11:45 a.m. and the Military Family Communication from 12-1 p.m.
On Tuesday, Nov. 15, for Student Veterans Organization and Military and Veterans Programs Awareness day the two organizations are collecting donations for the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope. Donations will be accepted at Corbett Center Student Union, Room 244, the Activity Center and the Business College until Nov. 15.
On Wednesday, Nov. 16, information tables from the different military branches will be available at the Garcia Annex courtyard for the ROTC/National Guard/Local Recruiters Day from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
The annual Veterans Day picnic also will be held at the Garcia Annex courtyard from 12-2 p.m.
On Friday, Nov. 18, the NMSU faculty and staff Military Veteran banquet will be held at the NMSU Golf Course clubhouse. Military and Veterans Programs is hosting the dinner from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
The week concludes with the Military Appreciation football game at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, when NMSU plays Texas State at Aggie Memorial Stadium.
For more information, visit http://mvp.nmsu.edu/military-and-veterans-appreciation-week/.
Information from NMSU