In-person Veterans Day events to take place in Athens

Ohio University and the city of Athens will celebrate Veterans Day throughout the week with events including a parade, free breakfast, speeches, as well as OHIO athletic teams honoring veterans on select nights.

The annual Veterans Day parade will take place on Thursday, Nov. 11 at 10:30 a.m. and will conclude with a speaking engagement by retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Chad Manske on College Green. The parade will start at Armory Park, go down Court Street and end on College Green. Participants will include the Army ROTC, Air Force ROTC, AMVETS motorcycle riders, and marching bands from Athens, Alexander and Federal Hocking High Schools.

The American Legion Post 21 will also host a free breakfast from 7:30-9:30 a.m. on Veterans Day.

OHIO has also launched a crowdfunding/fundraising campaign to support the OHIO Veterans and Military Student Services Scholarship Fund. Lt. Col. (Retired) Terry St. Peter, director of the OHIO Veterans and Military Student Services Center, said the campaign exists to support student veterans whose benefits have been exhausted. Those interested in donating can visit https://ohio.scalefunder.com/cfund/project/28723. 

The OHIO Hockey team will host a military appreciation night during its game against Western Michigan on Nov. 5 and the OHIO Women’s Volleyball team will host a military appreciation night during its game against Bowling Green on Nov. 12. Tickets for both games are available for veterans from Veterans and Military Student Service Center in Baker University Center 350. The OHIO Football team is also honoring veterans during every home football game in 2021.

St. Peter said it is important for the community to recognize and thank veterans for their service.

“As a nation who is defended by a volunteer defense force, we must never forget freedom is not free,” St. Peter said. “Men and women sacrifice their service every day for the freedom that we enjoy. “ 

Maj. Darrell Fawley, who commands the Army ROTC program at OHIO, believes Veterans Day is an opportunity to remind U.S. citizens that men and women have put aside their lives to serve and defend the nation. He said it is also an opportunity to remember the past and inspire selfless service in the next generation.

“Many veterans have never had a victory parade or been formally recognized,” Fawley said. “It also serves as an annual reminder to veterans that their service mattered.”