Liberty University observes Veterans Day, recognizes November as Military Appreciation Month

Liberty University’s Convocation on Friday morning opened with a Veterans Day salute, giving the student body a chance to honor our nation’s veterans and current service members.

During the morning’s video announcements, Director of Liberty’s Center for Chaplaincy Dr. Steven Keith prayed for strength for veterans and those in the Liberty family currently serving.

Liberty’s ROTC color guard took the stage for the national anthem, sung by the School of Music’s a cappella group, Shine, before United States Marine Corps veteran, evangelist, and chairman of Liberty’s Board of Trustees Tim Lee took the stage.

Lee is the president of Tim Lee Ministries based out of Garland, Texas, and is a longtime board member and loyal supporter and friend of Liberty University. In 1971 while serving in Vietnam, he lost both legs in a land mine explosion. Liberty awarded Lee an honorary Doctor of Divinity in 2016 in recognition of his service to this nation and his work as an author, speaker, pastor, evangelist, and church leader.

“Liberty University’s a great place to be, and there’s no doubt about it — we love God and we love America, and we make no apologies about it,” he said. “We love that flag. We don’t worship the flag, but we love the flag and we honor it because of the price that has been paid and the sacrifice throughout the years.”

Lee shared a few stories of family and friends who either died or were severely wounded while in the line of duty.

“Such sacrifices and prices have been made so that you and I can be here today,” he said.

Lee asked all of the veterans in the room to stand as they were applauded for their service. Some veteran students, faculty, and staff were invited to sit in the President’s box.

“Those of you that served in war and in peace times as well, we say thank you,” said Lee, who was also scheduled to speak at 4 p.m. at a Veterans Day Commemoration hosted by the National Center for Healthy Veterans at Valor Farm in Altavista, Va.

Liberty observes November as Military Appreciation Month, with the Office of Military Affairs, offering various opportunities to recognize military service.

On Tuesday, Liberty hosted a Veterans Appreciation Reception for faculty and staff who have served their country. This Saturday, Liberty will hold the annual Valley View Mike Donahue 5-Miler on Saturday, named in honor of former faculty member and Liberty alumnus Major Michael Donahue who was killed in a Taliban attack in 2014 on a U.S. military base outside Kabul, Afghanistan.

The annual Military Appreciation Football Game is on Nov. 26. The George Rogers Champion of Freedom Award will be presented at halftime of the matchup with New Mexico State. Since 2010, the award has been given to someone who went above the call of duty, displayed extraordinary heroism, and continued to be an outstanding ambassador in their community. The late George Rogers was a Purple Heart and Prisoner of War Medal recipient who was taken as a prisoner of war by the Japanese in the Philippines during World War II. They were forced to march about 75 miles in five days, known as the Bataan Death March, and were sent to POW camps where many died of starvation and abuse. Rogers was one of the few survivors. He was a longtime Liberty administrator, first serving as CEO of the “Old Time Gospel Hour” in 1974. He finished his career at Liberty as Vice President of Finance and Administration.

In addition to the Flames Football game, Liberty Athletics will also recognize Military Appreciation games with women’s basketball (Nov. 17) and volleyball (Nov. 11). The Club Sports Department will participate through the Nov. 12 Men’s Division I Hockey Military Appreciation Game against Delaware.

Liberty has consistently been ranked as a top military-friendly and Best for Vets university. The Veterans Center located in the Montview Student Union provides resources and support for service members, veterans, and their families.

In 2017, Liberty was designated as a Purple Heart University, making it the first college or university in Virginia to receive the honor from the Military Order of the Purple Heart in recognition of a university’s support for service members and their dependents.