Thursday, Nov 2, 2017
Events include annual Veterans Day ceremony and workshop that transforms military uniforms into handcrafted paper
by Tracey McCarthy
“Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause.”
-Abraham LincolnThis year, Rider University will continue to honor veterans — the men and women who have served and are currently serving, as well as their loved ones — with its annual Veterans Day remembrance.
Events include a ceremony with keynote speaker Eugene Marsh '13, the planting of more than 12,000 American flags on the Campus Mall and a papermaking event where participants can transform military uniforms into handcrafted paper.
“We are pleased to offer this range of activities and events for our students and community, which highlights the service of our Rider veterans and facilitates interacting and networking," says Thomas Reddington of the Veterans and Military Affairs Office. "Many of our students may not realize how many heroes we have walking our hallways."
Veterans Day Ceremony
Rider's official Veterans Day Ceremony, which will be held at Kaplan Plaza in front of North Hall on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 11 a.m. and live-streamed on the Rider Veterans Facebook page at facebook.com/RiderVeterans. Keynote speaker Eugene Marsh '14 is a Vietnam veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star for Valor in combat.
"When I stood beside soldiers in combat, I did not realize what my purpose in life would become," Marsh says. "Because of the Vietnam War and the veterans who served, I now know that my purpose is to ensure that all veterans receive the mental health counseling that they deserve."
Veteran Voices
Immediately following the ceremony, our veteran and military guests are invited to a luncheon featuring Veteran Voices from noon to 1 p.m. in the Mercer Room. Guests can commemorate a veteran or Armed Forces member with artistic expression. Participants are encouraged to read a letter, share a video interview or a photo, discuss an inspirational sketch or painting, recite poetry, share a personal writing or even sing a patriotic song.
Interested participants should provide a brief description of their Veteran Voice contribution to www.rider.edu/vets.
Into the Fray Papermaking
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 9, Rider and Frontline Arts will host Into the Fray on the Pub patio at the Bart Luedeke Center. Frontline Arts transforms military uniforms into handcrafted paper that event participants can use in artistic expression.
David O’Keefe of Frontline Arts says, “Programs like Into the Fray help to heal by deconstructing uniforms and the memories held through a process that entails, beating them into pulp, then reclaiming and drying the pulp into usable paper. This facilitates a new platform to record and share stories through artistic and written language.”
Plant a flag
Students, faculty, staff, and the community are invited to stop by the Campus Mall to plant a flag in memory of or to honor a loved one who is a veteran or active duty service member. Flags will be planted on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Monday through Wednesday, November 6-8, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
RUVA Lounge Ribbon Cutting
Mark the inauguration of The Rider University Veterans Association (RUVA) Lounge in the Maurer Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 9 at 10 a.m. This newly renovated space will serve as both a recreational and academic common area for Rider’s veteran students.
Post a Pic
Whether you attend the celebration or not, everyone can honor our veterans with Rider’s Post a Pic campaign from Nov. 1-11. Post a picture of a veteran you love on your personal Facebook, Twitter or Instagram feed using #RiderVets and tag @RiderVeterans. Your photo post will be uploaded to www.rider.edu/RiderVetPhotos where all photo contributions can be viewed.
Military Appreciation Night • Basketball Doubleheader
Veterans Day activities continue Friday, Nov. 10, as Rider Athletics hosts a Military Appreciation Night. Free admission for veterans and service members with special discounts for friends and family are available. The basketball doubleheader in Alumni Gym begins at 5:30 p.m. with the women’s basketball team vs. Bucknell University and will be followed by men’s basketball at 8 p.m. against Hampton University. Tickets are available at gobroncstix.com.
"Every family has or knows a veteran and this is our opportunity to honor their service through participating in these activities leading up to Veterans Day,” Reddington says.
Rider University is proud of its annual Veterans Day remembrance. From its very beginning, it has been an institution responsive to the needs of those who have proudly served in the United States military. When it first opened its doors in 1865, the institution’s initial class of students was composed primarily of veterans returning home from the Civil War.
Today, Rider is an active participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which allows men and women returning to civilian life from service in America’s current wars the opportunity to attend class through enhanced tuition benefits and supplemental scholarships and grants provided by participating colleges and universities.
