Liberty University honors service members, veterans, and families during Military Appreciation Month

Of Liberty University’s 140,000 students, roughly 40,000 have military ties. Liberty has a longstanding tradition of honoring the brave service of its military students, spouses, and veterans each November for Military Appreciation Month. Multiple events are planned to recognize their sacrifice and engage the campus and local communities.

“It is such an honor and privilege to recognize the amazing service members and veterans within the Liberty community during this Military Appreciation Month tradition,” said Emily Foutz, director of Military Affairs at Liberty. “We are blessed to be a part of a very military-supportive culture at Liberty and have seen the entire community gather together to ensure the veterans within our student body, faculty, and staff feel the love and appreciation we have for their service and dedication to our country. We are excited to invite our entire Liberty community to join us in honoring the service of these brave men and women.”

In Friday’s Convocation, Liberty President Dr. Dondi E. Costin spoke on the importance of honoring our nation’s veterans (view his message). On Friday night, Flames Hockey will hold its Military Appreciation Hockey Game in the LaHaye Ice Center, where the Student Veterans Association (SVA), a chapter of Student Veterans of America, will be recognized. An SVA chaplain will lead a prayer before the game. (Already this month, Liberty Athletics has honored veterans and service members during military appreciation games for women’s volleyball and men’s soccer).

One of the month’s most anticipated events is the Mike Donahue Memorial 5-Miler, on Saturday, Nov. 9, to commemorate the life of military hero and former Liberty professor Mike Donahue. His daughter, Bailey Donahue, will give remarks before the race, and Liberty’s Army ROTC will also present the Maj. Michael J. Donahue Award to one of its cadets, senior Joshua Cross. To register for the race, visit the event’s website.

On Nov. 23, Flames Football will honor veterans during a spectacular patriotic halftime show of the Military Appreciation Game against Western Kentucky University. There will also be a presentation of Liberty’s annual George Rogers Champion of Freedom Award, given annually to a man or woman who served in the United States Armed Forces and went above the call of duty, displaying extraordinary heroism while in the service and continuing to serve as an outstanding ambassador in their community.

George Rogers, the award’s namesake, is a decorated WWII marine and prisoner of war who served as CEO of “The Old Time Gospel Hour” in the 1970s.

In honor of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, Liberty will host a special Honoring Chaplains Ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on the Academic Lawn, where students will hear from keynote speaker Deputy Chief of Chaplains of the U.S. Army Jack Stumme. Liberty will also host two chaplain panels at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the Jerry Falwell Library Terrace Conference Room. Tours of the Chaplains Museum will be held between 11:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

At Liberty’s Military Appreciation Convocation on Nov. 13, all student veterans will be welcomed in the Vines Center’s President’s Box for special seating. Major General Jason Q. Bohm, dean of the Helms School of Government, will lead the traditional Marine Corps cake-cutting ceremony to celebrate the branch’s 249th birthday in addition to the tributes honoring all members of our nation’s military.

Convocation will feature Katherine Wolf, an author, speaker, and the founder of Hope Heals.

A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held on Nov.13-14 from 12-6 p.m. both days in the LaHaye Event Space. Blood donations can be scheduled in advance through the Red Cross website.

On Nov. 14 at 12 p.m. in the Montview Alumni Ballroom, Liberty will host the Veterans Appreciation Reception to recognize all veterans and active service members within Liberty’s community. Bohm will be the keynote speaker. (Members of the Liberty community are asked to RSVP).

Liberty’s Air Force ROTC will host a ceremony on Nov. 14 in the Towns Auditorium at the School of Business to remember our country’s prisoners of war and those missing in action. Later, on the steps of the Montview Student Union, AFROTC will begin a 24-hour vigil to ensure that the memory of America’s service members is honored around the clock.

>> The Office of Military Affairs offers various opportunities for the Liberty community to support and honor its military students, veterans, and their families. For more information on military benefits and resources for military students, visit Liberty.edu/Military.