Military Emphasis Week 2012: Honoring our nation’s heroes

As a tribute to veterans and those actively serving in the U.S. military, Liberty University will host its annual Military Emphasis Week Nov. 5-10.

Several events are planned, including a veteran’s appreciation luncheon, panels, a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder awareness seminar, a military appreciation race, and a military veteran’s tailgate in anticipation of the Flames football game against Stony Brook, featuring a halftime tribute to our nation’s heroes, kicking off Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

The George Rogers Champion of Freedom Award will be given to a nominated military service member who has gone above and beyond the call of duty. The award is in honor of George Rogers who was a prisoner of war during World War II. He was forced to march 75 miles a day with little food or water. In 2012, Rogers finally received recognition for his service and was awarded the Purple Heart and Prisoner of War Medal. Rogers worked at Liberty from 1974-99, beginning as CEO of “The Old Time Gospel Hour” and retiring as vice president of finance and administration.

On Monday night, a candlelight tribute service will be held to remember fallen heroes, including several members of the Liberty family. On Wednesday, Liberty will host a special patriotic Convocation service in the Vines Center, featuring guest speaker Rev. Tim Lee, a retired Marine and long-time supporter of Liberty University and Military Emphasis Week. Later in the day, the university will host a panel of military officers serving in Washington, D.C., in the Supreme Courtroom at Liberty University School of Law.

On Saturday morning, members of Liberty’s family and the local community are invited to lace up their sneakers and take off from Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre through the Liberty Mountain trails for the Valley View 5 Miler, a military appreciation race. (Register before Nov. 10 for the discounted race price.)

All week, displays for each branch of the military will be set up across campus. The back hallway of Arthur S. DeMoss Learning Center will be the center point of these displays, with a pull-up bar, Humvee display, and other activities taking place throughout the week.

Students Behind Our Soldiers will be accepting donations for care packages that will be sent to soldiers in time for Christmas. Donations can be given Monday-Wednesday in designated boxes at the Vines Center, Green Hall, Career Center, and the School of Aviation.

The sacrifice and dedication of our nation’s military remains a main focus at Liberty. Many students in Liberty’s resident population and online education program are actively serving in the armed forces, representing all five branches of the U.S. military; some are even pursuing their education while serving overseas.

The Office of Military Affairs offers several resources to help these military students and veterans with academic and financial benefits and to provide spiritual support.

Schedule of Events

Monday-Friday, Nov. 5-9

U.S. Military Recruitment Displays

10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Back hall of Arthur S. DeMoss Learning Center

Recruiters from several branches of the armed services will be on campus throughout the week with activities for all students to enjoy, including a pull-up bar, Humvee display, and other activities.

Jingle all the Way

The Office of Military Affairs, partnered with Students Behind our Soldiers (SBS), will be taking donations for care packages in designated boxes placed at the Vines Center, DeMoss Hall, Green Hall, the Career Center, and the School of Aviation Monday-Wednesday of Military Emphasis Week. SBS will prepare the care packages to be mailed in time for Christmas.

Monday, Nov. 5

Candlelight Tribute Service for Fallen Heroes

7:00-8:00 p.m., Front steps of DeMoss Hall

Join us for a candlelight service to honor our fallen heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Tuesday, Nov. 6

Educate the Educators

6:30-8:30 p.m., DeMoss Hall Room 1114

Liberty University’s School of Education, partnering with Kappa Delta Pi, will host a panel of service members, military spouses and dependents to discuss current education needs for military children.

Wednesday, Nov. 7

Military Appreciation Convocation Service

10:00-11:00 a.m., Vines Center

All faculty, staff, students, and the community are invited to hear a message by the Rev. Tim Lee, a retired Marine and longtime supporter of Liberty University and Military Emphasis Week.

Veterans Appreciation Luncheon

Noon-2 p.m., Hancock Welcome Center

All faculty, staff, and students who have served in the military will receive an invitation to a special luncheon held in their honor, (R.S.V.P. to e-mail invitation required).

Military Panel from Washington, D.C.

2:30-3:30 p.m., Supreme Courtroom at Liberty University School of Law

Come and meet with a panel comprised of military officers serving in Washington, D.C. This panel will provide pertinent information on changing policies that affect both the military and our lives today. A question and answer session will follow.

Thursday, Nov. 8

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (P.T.S.D.) Awareness Seminar

7:00-8:00 p.m., DeMoss Hall Room 1114

Come and join us for an informative seminar with Dr. Stephen Kelly who will share what PTSD is, the treatments that are available, what medications are available, examples of PTSD, TBI issues and symptoms that students may see in someone who suffers from PTSD or TBI, how the campus environment may affect them, along with other tools to help those that experience these health issues. Additionally, Mr. Dennis McHaney will share how Liberty University supports military students who have been affected by these injuries and the tools that are available to allow our military students to complete their education.

Saturday, Nov. 10

Valley View 5 Miler (Military Appreciation Race)

9 a.m. (Please arrive no later than 8:45 a.m.), Liberty University Snowflex Centre

Please join the Liberty University and Lynchburg community for the Valley View 5 Miler Race for Military Appreciation. Veterans will receive a discounted price of $10 (pre-registered) or $15 (on race day). This includes a shift and a specially designed Challenge Coin for the first 200 veterans to cross the finish line. Please register before Nov. 10 for the discounted race price.

Military Veterans Tailgate

11:30-2:30 p.m., Hancock Welcome Center Front Lawn

Army and Air Force ROTC as well as veterans within the Liberty University family and surrounding community are welcome to join the tailgate for free food prior to the game.

Home Football Game with Halftime Tribute to our Nation’s Heroes:

3:30 p.m., William
s Stadium

Cheer on the Flames as they play Stony Brook at Williams Stadium. At halftime, please join us for a grand celebration in honor of our nation’s heroes. Don’t miss the George Rogers Champion of Freedom Award presentation, followed by recognition of our Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. The pre-game festivities begin at 3:10 p.m.