Drexel to Host Veterans and Military Family Appreciation Week Nov. 5–11

A moment during last year's Veterans Week at Drexel University. Photo credit Liz Moyer.

To celebrate this year’s Veterans Day on Nov. 11, the Office of Veteran Student Services and members of the Drexel Veterans Task Force have scheduled a whole week’s worth of programming and activities to honor the University’s veterans and military families while thanking them for their service.

Veterans Appreciation Week will feature 10 events held on and off campus in the days leading up to Veterans Day, starting on Nov. 5. These events have been planned to recognize and support Drexel’s 907 student-veterans and over 200 military dependents, as well as our alumni-veterans and members of the Drexel Veterans Colleague Resource Group on campus.

Additionally, the Office of Veteran Student Services, Lindy Center for Civic Engagement and the Commuter Student Association have organized a supply drive to benefit residents of the Veterans Group, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization operating two homes in University City to provide shelter, warm meals, and a variety of programs and services for up to 41 men. Click here for more information on supplies to donate and where to donate them.

“The Office of Veteran Student Services and Veterans Task Force encourage you to participate in the Drexel’s Veterans and Military Friendly Appreciation Week events listed below in support of our military-connected students, faculty, professional staff and alumni and to contribute to our military-friendly campus community,” said Rebecca Weidensaul, assistant vice president of Student Life.

Sunday, Nov. 5

11 a.m.–4:30 p.m.: City of Philadelphia 3rd Annual Veterans Day Parade 

Join the Drexel Veterans Association and members of the Veterans Task Force in representing the University in the third annual Philadelphia Veterans Day Parade. All veterans and military dependents at Drexel (students, faculty, staff and alumni) are welcomed to march in the parade behind the Drexel banner and receive a commemorative T-shirt. Dragons will line up in Center City at a designated location on 16th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard (behind the Drexel banner) at 11 a.m. and begin the 30-minute march through Philadelphia at noon. The parade ends at 5th and Market streets with a festival from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Register here for the Drexel Veterans Day Parade Sign Up and reserve your T-shirt.

For more information, visit the Philadelphia Veterans Day Parade Website or contact Rebecca@drexel.edu.

Monday, Nov. 6

12–1 p.m.: Drexel Veteran Colleague Resource Group Networking Lunch at Wahoo's Tacos

Join the Veterans Colleague Resource Group at Drexel for a military-friendly networking lunch at Wahoo’s Tacos, located on the southeast corner of 32nd and Chestnut streets. All faculty, staff and students who have military service or are from military families are welcome. Please RSVP to jrw393@drexel.edu by Oct. 31 to attend. 

Tuesday, Nov. 7

12–1 p.m.: Military Friendly Campus Lunch and Learn

Want to support our campus student-veterans and military dependents and colleagues? Have questions about what it is like to serve in the U.S. military? Join this interactive lunch, titled “Working with Military Students,” hosted by the Office of Equality & Diversity and Human Resources. Please RSVP by Oct. 31^st using Career Pathways to attend the event. This event is capped at 50 participants.

Wednesday, Nov. 8

6–8 p.m.: Deploy Your Education and Career: Networking Employer Panel for Military Alumni and Students

This event, which is free for all Drexel military-connected students, will focus on the transition from military to civilian careers and is open to alumni, students and employees who have served in the U.S. military. There will be a pre-panel reception with light refreshments, a formal panel with military-friendly employers and an opportunity for career networking. Alumni and guests can pay $10 to attend.  

Thursday, Nov. 9– Sunday, Nov. 12

6 a.m.–5 p.m.: Veterans and Military Appreciation Week: American Flags Installation

In honor of Veterans and Military Family Appreciation Week at Drexel, flags will be placed to recognize the 907 veterans who are currently enrolled at the University. Drexel is proud to be a Yellow Ribbon School and strives to be an inclusive campus that welcomes all of our diverse communities.

Thursday, Nov. 9

9–9:30 a.m.: ROTC Contracting Ceremony

Join Drexel Army ROTC as the newest members of Task Force Dragon are sworn into the corps of cadets. This contracting ceremony symbolizes the official entry of our cadets into the program. Cadets and their friends and families, along with Drexel's student body, are welcome to take part and witness the event. Breakfast in Bossone Lobby will follow at 9:30 a.m.

10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.: ROTC Hall of Fame

The ROTC Hall of Fame induction is awarded to alumni whose character and service epitomizes the qualities that the Drexel ROTC embodies. Their service to our nation and their significant accomplishments, both military and civilian, will be honored and recognized during their induction into this prestigious class of former Drexel ROTC cadets.

11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.: Veterans Day Tribute: Serving Those Who Served

Come for a light lunch at 11:30 a.m. followed by the Veterans Day Tribute in Mitchell Auditorium at noon. This annual gathering has become a tradition at Drexel, coordinated by the Office of Veteran Student Services and Army ROTC, and includes military traditions and protocol, patriotic music and reflections.

Friday, Nov. 10

7–9 p.m.: Men's Basketball and Drexel Athletics Salutes America's Veterans

Join Drexel Athletics, the Veterans Task Force and Army ROTC at the home men's basketball game vs. Bowling Green University. U.S. veterans will receive a special acknowledgment during the game on the eve of Veterans Day.

Saturday, Nov. 11

11:30 a.m.–2 p.m.: Drexel Veterans Day Family Weekend Gathering

On this Veterans Day, please join Drexel Army ROTC, the Veterans Task Force and Office of Veteran Student Services in gathering in respect and appreciation for our United States Veterans. This event features military tradition, patriotic music and remarks from members of our University's military community.

Stop by the Office of Veteran Student Services table from 11:30 a.m–2 p.m. to learn more about our Yellow Ribbon Program or donate to The Veterans Group.

To learn more about the Office of Veteran Student Services, visit www.drexel.edu/veterans.