DANBURY, CONN. — Western Connecticut State University will honor all armed forces veterans for their service to country at the annual WCSU Veterans Day observance at noon on Thursday, Nov. 11, at the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury.

The Veterans Day program in Ives Concert Hall in White Hall will feature remarks by veterans, as well as representatives of the university and the city of Danbury. Patriotic music selections will be performed by the WCSU Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Fernando Jimenez, associate professor of music and music education. Admission will be free and the public is invited.

Two honor guards representing the WCSU Police Department and Western students will lead processionals at the start and the conclusion of the indoor program. All in attendance are invited to follow the honor guards’ concluding processional from White Hall to the flagpole in front of Old Main, where a student will lay a wreath of remembrance and WCSU President James W. Schmotter will read Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. The outdoor ceremony will end with a benediction by Friar Brad Heckathorne, chaplain of the university campus ministry, and the playing of “Taps” by the WCSU Wind Ensemble.

Veterans who will speak during the Ives Concert Hall program will be Marine Cpl. Aaron Atwood; retired Navy Capt. Kathleen Lindenmayer; and Army Spc. Harry Neveski, vice president of the WCSU Student Veterans Organization. Additional remarks will be offered by Schmotter; WCSU Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Walter Bernstein, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton and Western student Timothy Kaiser.

The WCSU Wind Ensemble will open the program with performances of “Fanfare for the Common Man” by Aaron Copland and the national anthem. Other Ensemble selections featured during the program will include “A Letter from Mom,” with narration by Deborah DelVecchio; “Armed Forces Salute,” and “Stars and Stripes.”

At the conclusion of the wreath-laying ceremony, guests will be invited to enjoy light refreshments in Room 202 of the Student Center, located behind Old Main on the Midtown campus. WCSU student and staff veterans of the armed forces will be in attendance, and will offer tours of the Veterans Lounge in the Student Center.

For more information, contact the WCSU Division of Student Affairs at (203) 837-8606 or the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.

 

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics
of New England’s best small private universities.