Author: Larry Burks

The Military and Veteran Center will host an open house in honor of Veterans Day from Nov. 8 to Nov. 9 in Grace Wilkie Hall, with the opening ceremony for the event starting at 2 p.m. Nov. 8 on the front lawn at the flag pole.

Veterans should submit their name, branch of service and a photo (if one is available) so it can be included in the Veterans Day Tribute that will run in the center during the celebration. The information should be provided no later than Nov. 6 to Larry Burks, director of Military and Veteran Services, at larry.burks@wichita.edu. Come by and honor our veterans for their service to the nation. Light refreshments will be provided during the celebration event.

Wichita State’s Military and Veteran Services encourages everyone to take time today to pause for a moment of silence in honor of those who sacrificed so much, who inspired a multitude to service, and who strengthened the spirit of unity as a nation, and will have a banner in 105 Grace Wilke Hall that members of the community can sign acknowledging that they will not forget. The center will be open all day.

Each year on the anniversary of 9/11, the families of victims gather for a ceremony on the 9/11 Memorial Plaza to read aloud the names of the 2,983 men, women and children killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and Feb. 26, 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. Six moments of silence mark the times when each of the World Trade Center towers was struck, when each tower fell, and the times corresponding to the attack at the Pentagon, and the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.

Honoring the 75th anniversary of Executive Order 9981, the Military and Veteran Center will host a brief ceremony at 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 26 in 262 Rhatigan Student Center, Herrman Room. A proclamation from Gov. Laura Kelly will be presented honoring this milestone, with Kansas Senator Oletha Faust-Goudeau presenting the proclamation on her behalf.

On July 26, 1948, President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981, creating the President’s Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services. The order mandated the desegregation of the U.S. military.

The Military and Veteran Center will be closed from Monday, July 10 through Thursday, July 13.

The staff will be attending an out-of-state conference during this timeframe. They will be monitoring all emails and will respond to any queries at the end of each day. Office hours will resume Friday, July 14.

The Veteran Center will acknowledge the service of Vietnam era veterans and/or family members with a commemorative pin and certificate in accordance with the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017, which designates every March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

The event is at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 29 in 105 Grace Wilke Hall, and the event is open for all to attend.

The Community Outreach Team from Robert J. Dole Veterans Affairs Medical Center will host a resource fair sharing information on VA health care and the PACT Act 2022 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16 on the first floor of the Rhatigan Student Center.

Veterans can enroll in VA health care programs and assistance will be on hand to process disability claims and other benefits.

This event is open to all veterans, dependents and family members. Bring a copy of your DD-214 and most recent tax return in order to expedite enrollment and claims.

Graduation stoles and cords for military and veteran students are available for fall graduates in the Military and Veteran Services Office.

One cord and one stole will be issued for qualifying student veterans. Must present student ID and sign for receipt of these items. Come any time from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 14-16 to 105 Grace Wilkie Hall.

Military veteran and veteran-related students can now pick up their fall graduation cords at the Military Veteran Center in Room 105 of Grace Wilkie Hall or Room 402 of the Dole Education Center on McConnell AFB.

Present your student ID and sign for the cord. Congratulations on your graduation and the next step of your life and career.

Join ARISE, Inc. for its winter concert highlighting a message for education. TEACH (Transformation, Empowerment, Advocacy, Cultural Appreciation and Hope) will be presented at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20 at the Wichita State Metroplex at the corner of 29th Street North and Oliver.

This event is sponsored by Calvary United Methodist Church and the WSU Office of the Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer. Admission is free; contact Gerald Norwood at 316-256-2749 or any ARISE member for tickets.

Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. recognizes on an annual basis a member of the Wichita community as its Citizen of the Year during the fraternity’s Achievement Week. The 2022 selection for this honor is Dr. Marchè Fleming-Randle, vice president and chief diversity officer and chief of staff for Army ROTC at Wichita State.

Fleming-Randle’s unique track record of accomplishments in education, support of the community, and outstanding contributions to the welfare of mankind earned her this distinction. She will be awarded this honor at the chapter’s 73rd annual Founders Banquet event, which will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Marcus Welcome Center.

Dr. Fleming-Randle will be placed in competition for the fraternity’s district and national Citizen of the Year on behalf of the local chapter. Congratulations to Dr. Fleming-Randle for this distinction.