NMSU military, veteran appreciation week begins Nov. 7

New Mexico State University will hold its seventh annual Military and Veterans Appreciation Week, Monday-Saturday, Nov. 7-12. The week honors the men and women who have served, past and present, and focuses on supporting NMSU’s military and veteran-friendly community.

“The Military and Veterans Appreciation Week is dedicated to honoring students, staff and faculty that have served and sacrificed to protect our freedoms,” said NMSU Military and Veterans Programs Director Hector Sanchez. “This year we will highlight the military family and the contributions made to supporting our military and veteran servicemen. In addition, we will also be celebrating 120 years of the ROTC program with ROTC alumni members honored.”

Here are the events:

• Inaugural ceremony, 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 7, Aggie Memorial Tower. NMSU Army ROTC commander U.S. Army Lt. Col. Adam D. Buchanan will be the featured guest speaker. Following the ceremony, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., the NMSU Student Veterans Organization will have an information table outside the Corbett Center Student Union main west entrance.
• Veteran’s Day picnic, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, Garcia Center courtyard. Food will be provided by Jim Bob’s BBQ. Informational tables from various local veteran service organizations will be in attendance, including the Las Cruces Vet Center mobile van.
• NMSU Tribute to Military Families and Veteran’s Day Carnival, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, on the east side of Young Hall. NMSU ROTC and armed forces recruiters will have information tables from 10 a.m.-noon outside Young Hall.
• Open house, Thursday, Nov. 10, Corbett Center, Room 244.
• Faculty and Staff Military Veterans and ROTC Anniversary Banquet, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 11 (Veterans Day), Doña Ana Community College East Mesa campus Student Resources commons area, 2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd. U.S. Army Col. John M. Ives, garrison commander at Fort Huachuca, will be the featured speaker. The dinner is by invitation only. Contact gbamford@nmsu.edu or call 575-646-2689 or 575-646-4524 for more information.

To conclude the week, NMSU Air Force and Army ROTC will take part in the Las Cruces Veterans Day Parade in downtown Las Cruces at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. For more information on the parade, visit http://www.lascrucesvetday.org.