UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa – On Friday, Nov. 10, Penn State will host its annual breakfast and ceremony to honor the service and sacrifice of veterans of the U.S. armed forces. The Military Appreciation Breakfast will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. in Heritage Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center and the annual Veterans Day ceremony will take place from 11:11 a.m. to noon in front of the Old Main steps. In the event of bad weather, the ceremony will be moved to Alumni Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center. The event will be livestreamed via this link for those unable to attend in person.
The annual Penn State Employee and Student Military Service Recognition Breakfast recognizes University employees and students in the military. Students, faculty and staff who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces are invited to attend the breakfast. There will be light refreshments, special guest and World War II Historian Jared Frederick, as well as announcements of new programming available to Penn State Employees with Military Service. Attendees will receive a copy of Frederick's books and have the opportunity to get it signed by the author. Registration is required via this online form.
The ceremony is part of the University's 12th annual Military Appreciation Week, with celebrations honoring military families. Organized and hosted by the Penn State Student Veterans Organization, the event will honor Penn State veterans and those who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military.
Gold-Star spouse Tina Clarkson will be the speaker at this year's Veterans Day event. Tina's husband, Brian Clarkson, was an active-duty sergeant and deployed to Iraq with the 442nd. After his return, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a condition attributed to his proximity to burn pits in Iraq. Although Brian went into remission, he passed away in January 2014. Brian is remembered by his wife and three children, who will also attend the ceremony. Clarkson and her family actively participate in the State College community and are engaged with the Gold Star Family Community in Centre County, regularly attending gatherings and promoting awareness.
For more information, visit the Penn State Military Appreciation website.