Penn State reflects on 2023 Military Appreciation Week

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State is reflecting on another successful Military Appreciation Week. The 12th annual celebration showcased military families through a series of University and community events Nov. 3-11. 

Support from the community 

The local community’s support is a vital element in the success of Military Appreciation Week. State College Borough recognized Military Appreciation Week at its Oct. 2 meeting, while the Centre County Commissioners proclaimed November as Military Appreciation Month at its Oct. 31 meeting. 

The community continued to show its support through the purchase and display of hometown heroes banners throughout the borough. Penn State and borough officials unveiled the banners before heading to The State Theatre for a screening of “Top Gun: Maverick.” 

Other events included the Freedom 5k Race, an “Ask a Veteran” Panel, a Military Appreciation Luncheon, and veteran ally training program for Penn State employees. 

Creating this year’s challenge coin 

Penn State Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness graphic designer and Military Appreciation Week committee member Avery Urusow wanted to find a way to showcase all military families with the 2023 Penn State Challenge Coin design. 

Since 2015, Penn State has given challenge coins to Military Appreciation Tailgate attendees on game day. Challenge coins are tokens of recognition or honor in the military. When given, the coin represents how the recipient has played a significant part in a mission, project or fellow service member’s life. 

Urusow wanted to recognize that military families come in every shape and size. 

“It expands beyond spouses and children,” Urusow said. “I wanted the design to be inclusive and symbolize how much the military branches out and encompasses everything.” 

This year’s design features a heart in the center of the coin, which represents all military families and their love. Surrounding the heart are six stars, each representing a branch of the U.S. military. The blue shield represents the strength and resilience of military families and the rays shining showcase the all-encompassing love and support military families provide their service members. 

“I hope it resonates with anyone who considers themselves a part of a military community. Any kind of support from their circle could be considered their military family — their found family,” Urusow said.

A win on and off the field 

Penn State kicked off the 2023 Military Appreciation Week festivities with a Big 10 matchup against the University of Indiana. Before the game, hundreds of volunteers served food to more than 4,500 service members, veterans, and their loved ones inside the Bryce Jordan Center. The tailgate included musical performances by Penn State student group “Blue in the Face” and the 28th Infantry Division Military Band from Torrance, Pennsylvania. Local organizations welcomed service members and offered resources in the concourse, while Penn State World Campus distributed and shared the story behind the challenge coins to attendees. 

Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi accepted a check on behalf of the University from Walmart and Sam’s Club — the companies provide resources and employees who volunteer at the annual tailgate. This year expanded their commitment by donating $30,000 to the Penn State Military Student Fund. 

Inside Beaver Stadium, more than 7,500 service members, veterans and their families received complimentary tickets to the game through Seats for Servicemembers. Multiple service members, veterans and their families were honored throughout the game, including the flight crew from the two EC-130J Commando Solos from the 193rd Special Operations Wing of the Air National Guard in Middletown, Pennsylvania, that flew over the stadium at the conclusion of the National Anthem. The crew included Penn State alumni Lt. Col Gary Novack (Penn State class of 2007) and Airman 1st Class Matthew C. Harbaugh (Penn State class of 2016). 

Penn State alumni Craig and Brittany Tryzbiak (Army, commissioned in 2009) and their three children were recognized on the field during the game. The Tryzbiak Family won the experience after sharing their military family story with the Penn State community. 

During halftime, the Penn State Blue Band performed a patriotic compilation of songs with the 28th Infantry Division Military Band. Together, everyone cheered the Penn State football team on to a 33-24 win against Indiana. Check out more photos from the game, here. 

A Gold-Star Family shares their story 

Penn State celebrated service members and veterans through its annual Penn State Employee and Student Military Service Recognition Breakfast on Nov. 10. This year’s event featured World War II historian Jared Frederick. Attendees received a copy of Frederick’s books. 

Later that morning at 11:11 a.m., community members gathered on the steps outside Old Main for the University’s Veterans Day Ceremony. The event featured a Penn State ROTC color guard and National Anthem rendition by Penn State football offensive lineman Golden Israel-Achumba. 

The Clarksons, a Gold-Star Family from Bellefonte, were this year’s keynote speakers. Husband and father Brian, who was an active-duty Army sergeant and deployed to Iraq with the 442nd, passed away in 2014. His wife, Tina, and eldest daughter, Carley, spoke during the ceremony about what it means to be a Gold-Star family. The Clarksons 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.

About Penn State's Military Appreciation Week Committee 

The Penn State Military Appreciation Week Committee is composed of Penn State and community volunteers dedicated to honoring the military community and celebrating Penn State’s military history and support for service members, veterans and military families. For more than a decade, the committee has organized Penn State Military Appreciation Week in collaboration with the community, student organizations, Penn State Athletics, and local veteran organizations. Learn more about supporting annual events organized by the committee here. 

For the latest Military Appreciation Week event information, visit the Penn State Military Appreciation website.