UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The local community, including the Borough of State College, is joining with Penn State this year in recognizing Military Appreciation Week Nov. 4-12 and encouraging community members to honor and thank those who have served.
The University’s Military Appreciation Week is an opportunity for the Penn State community to join in honoring service members, veterans and their families; expressing appreciation to them; and supporting service members and their families and families of the deceased. This year, Penn State’s Office of Government and Community Relations worked with the mayor of State College along with the Downtown Improvement District to coordinate weeklong events.
“The mayor’s proclamation dedicating Nov. 4-12 as Military Appreciation Week in the Borough of State College is a most appreciated expression of support for this initiative and it highlights the strong partnership between the University and borough. We also are excited about the participation of the State College Downtown Improvement District and its designation of Nov. 4 as 'Military Appreciation First Friday' in downtown State College. It’s a great addition to have the involvement of downtown businesses,” said Margaret Gray, Penn State’s director of local government and community relations.
The proclamation issued by Mayor Elizabeth Goreham on Oct. 10 encourages “all residents and community members to recognize those who have served, or are currently serving, our nation, our campus and our community and thank them for their tremendous contributions.”
The proclamation also notes “the sacrifices made by all members of the United States Armed Forces and their loved ones are to be valued; and the brave men and women of our community who served and enlisted, ready to defend our homeland and safeguard the freedom and values for which we stand, deserve our recognition.”
Goreham said that Military Appreciation has special meaning for State College.
“We have a lot of military people in our community, and we are a very patriotic town,” she said. “People in the military live among us. Some of the people have done extraordinary things. They tend to be part of our community in ways we take for granted. They become police officers and voluntary firefighters They are our neighbors.”
Events
-- The Downtown Improvement District (DID) in State College and the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg also are part of the efforts. The Military Museum will hold pre-tailgate programs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 5. Events will include presentations in the auditorium, guided tours and displays.
-- The DID is holding a Military Appreciation First Friday Nov. 4. Many business partners are participating, including donating a portion of sales generated that night to the Penn State Military Student Fund. Businesses can be identified by a sign in their windows.
-- Additionally, businesses will accept food donations for troops stationed overseas as part of Operation Shoebox throughout the week.
“It’s exciting to partner with Penn State on this great initiative to recognize those who have served and are serving,” said George Arnold, DID executive director.
Other evening events downtown include:
--Two brass groups will be performing patriotic numbers, rotating throughout town;
-- Dancers from the Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania will perform “Yankee Doodle Dandee” and “Stars and Stripes;”
-- An art project led by a local artist who worked with preschools will be assembled and on display. At 6 p.m., children who helped create it will have their photograph taken with it in front of the Corner Room on College Avenue.
-- A few businesses will be hosting letter-writing parties.
For more information, go to: www.firstfridaystatecollege.com. Businesses also supporting Penn State Military Appreciation Week and its events are: Wal-Mart, Dairy Queen, Pepsi, Tire Town, Best Event Rental and Hospitality Management Group/Hilton Garden Inn.
Below are more events planned on campus. For additional information on all events, including the Military Appreciation Football Game and tailgate on Nov. 5, as well as some events for specific audiences only (e.g. military families) go to: http://military.psu.edu/events/