Elon to mark Veterans Day with a show of gratitude to those who served

The Elon University community will celebrate and honor those who have served in the military this Friday with a special Veterans Day Observance ceremony that includes a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. 

The Veterans Day Observance program on Friday, Nov. 11, at 10:55 a.m. in LaRose Digital Theater in the Koury Business Center includes a special address by Al C. Stewart Jr., a Vietnam veteran who served for 30 years with the Greensboro Police Department, and was a former Elon football player. Stewart also served as a police instructor and advisor with the U.S. Police Commission in Iraq, Lebanon and Afghanistan. 

Stewart served in the U. S. Army from 1970 until 1973 and rose to the rank of sergeant during his service in the infantry with Company “G” Rangers (Vietnam) and Company “A” Rangers (Fort Hood, Texas).  His awards and decorations include:  the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with “V” device, the Purple Heart, two Air Medals with “V” device, the Bronze Star (Meritorious), the Army Commendation Medal, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star.  Stewart also earned the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Ranger Qualification Tab, Parachute Badge, Air Crew Member’s Badge, and Vietnamese Parachute Badge.

The observance on Friday includes a recognition of members of the university community who have served and a video salute to veterans produced by Elon students. 

Additionally, the observance of Veterans Day this year also includes a variety of fundraising efforts for the Wounded Warrior Project, a veterans service charitable organization. On Wednesday, Nov. 9, Red Bowl Asian Bistro at Alamance Crossing will host a profit-sharing event from 5 to 9 p.m., with a portion of the profits from meals during that period going to support the Wounded Warrior Project. 

Saturday, Nov. 12, is Military Appreciation Day and Senior Day at Rhodes Stadium, with a tailgate event before the game to benefit Wounded Warriors, with local veterans who have benefitted from the charity’s work in attendance. These “wounded warriors” will be treated to TickleMyRibs barbecue and then honored during the game, with Elon’s marching band, the Fire of the Carolinas, providing a military themed halftime show that will pay tribute to all veterans. 

Additionally, Elon ROTC and MGT 410 students will be circulating throughout the tailgating activities selling chances for a 50/50 raffle that will benefit Wounded Warriors, and “Support Our Troops” T-shirts will be available for purchase at the Wounded Warriors tent. 

If you are unable to attend any of these events, but would like to support the work of the Wounded Warriors Project, visit this site to offer a contribution. 

Elon’s men’s basketball team is also helping recognize those that serve in the military on Veterans Day. The team has its home opener at 8 p.m. on Friday when it takes on William Peace University. In honor of Veterans Day, military personnel and their families will receive free admission with a military ID.