To honor the troops
Young Women for America will hold its Military Appreciation Gala Nov. 13
The Young Women for America (YWA) believe the members of the military and military families deserve to be honored and appreciated, and that is why the Liberty University chapter of YWA is hosting its annual Military Appreciation Gala Nov. 13 from 6 – 8 p.m. in the club level of Williams Stadium, and everyone is invited.
BENEFIT EVENT — This is the second year the Military Gala will donate all proceeds raised to the Wounded Warriors Project. Photo credit: Leah Seavers
Toward the end of Military Emphasis Week at Liberty, up to 250 guests will funnel out of the elevators into a room filled with faculty and students, community members and decorated soldiers. The keynote speaker for the event will be former Navy SEAL sniper Scott Taylor who currently serves in the Virginia House of Delegates.
“We gained our freedom through fighting for it and we retain it by the willing to do so still,” Ashley Traficant, president of the YWA chapter at Liberty University, said.
Although the military is not the only that YWA focuses on, it is an important aspect they celebrate. As for the high school and college branch of Concerned Women for America (CWA), they stand for seven core issues including sanctity of life, defense of family, education, religious liberty, national sovereignty, sexual exploitation and support for Israel.
Members of the Lynchburg community, Liberty University faculty and students and local military members are all invited to attend the event. Tickets for students and military are $15. They are $20 for everyone else and can be purchased through the Liberty University ticket office. Students can purchase their tickets through the myLU Portal.
“This is a way for the university and the community to come together on something that we can all get behind regardless of whatever side of the political aisle you fall on, whatever your religion, whatever your worldview,” Traficant said.
In fact, the YWA and CWA are both non-partisan organizations whose mission is to “protect and promote Biblical values among all citizens — first through prayer, then education, and finally by influencing our society — thereby reversing the decline in moral values in our nation.”
At the event, vendors will surround the exterior walls of the venue for the silent auction including guests such as Monroe Hill Collective, Live Trendy or Die, Gladiola Girls, McAlister’s Deli, Moe’s, Jersey Mikes Subs and more. The silent auction will be held during the gala and all of the proceeds from the entire evening will go to the Wounded Warrior Project.
But far from the exterior walls, at the center of the room, will sit a table of remembrance for the military members who were not able to attend the event because of the sacrifice they made for their country.
“Because of these people’s sacrifice, who are with us and those who couldn’t be with us is the reason that we have the freedom to gather at the world’s largest evangelical university today,” Traficant said.
Students and community members have the opportunity to sponsor a table of eight for $200, either for personal use or to allow eight veterans to attend the event for free.
“We’re trying to donate a certain amount of tickets to veterans to come for free,” Nicole Lombardi, a YWA Board Member, said.
The evening will play hosts to many guests including current CEO and president of CWA, Penny Nance as well as other local Virginia government officials. The attire for the evening is formal, limited to suits, evening gowns and cocktail dresses.
PIERCE is a feature reporter.