Military Services Appreciation Week Activities

As part of VCU’s celebration of Veterans Day, a week of guest speakers and other activities are planned.

Laura Browder, Ph.D., University of Richmond professor of English and author of “When Janey Comes Marching Home,” will speak on Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble@VCU Bookstore at 1111 W. Broad St. A reception with refreshments will follow the speaking engagement.

Lt. Col. James Gregory Zumwalt, a retired Marine infantry officer who served in the Vietnam War, the 1989 intervention into Panama and Operation Desert Storm will speak on Wednesday, Nov. 9, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the University Student Commons, Ballrooms A and B. Zumwalt, is an internationally acclaimed best-selling author, speaker and business executive. A reception with refreshments will follow the speaking engagement.

Retired Marine Col. William Parrish, associate professor of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, will speak as part of a celebration of the anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Marines.  The event takes place on Thursday, Nov. 10, from noon to 2 p.m. in the Virginia Rooms at the University Student Commons. 

 “An Evening with Louis Zamperini and John Naber” will take place on Thursday, Nov. 10, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the University Student Commons, Commonwealth Ballrooms A and B. Naber is a former world record Olympic swimmer, five-time medalist and member of the U.S. Olympic Committee Hall of Fame. Zamperini, a World War II prisoner of war survivor, former Olympic distance runner and the subject of the best-selling book “Unbroken,” has had to cancel his appearance. Tickets are required for this event.  For more information, visit http://www.svavcu.com/.

Retired Army Col. Cecil Drain, Ph.D., dean of the School of Allied Health Professions, will speak during VCU’s Veterans’ Day Celebration, which takes place on Friday, Nov. 11, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Lunch will follow. 

The activities are free and open to the public and are sponsored by the VCU Student Veterans Association, VCU Military Student Services, University Student Commons & Activities, VCU Alumni Association, Eta Lambda Sigma, Omega Delta Sigma, VCU Student Government Association, the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services and Barnes & Noble @ VCU.  

For information on these activities, visit the VCU Student Veterans Association website.