In recognition of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, Dartmouth is hosting a slate of lectures, ceremonies, and celebrations to honor military service members. Among the events are a formal flag drill and retreat ceremony on the Green and a day-long conference sponsored by the Dartmouth 250th committee titled "Dartmouth's History with the Military."
"For me, Veterans Day is a moment to reflect," says Brad Carney '20, who served a tour of duty in Iraq as a sergeant in the Army and reenlisted two years later as an Army Ranger before leaving the military and enrolling at Dartmouth. "I see myself as just another Dartmouth student. But it's also important to realize where you came from because everyone has a story. It's important not to forget that story and not to forget people's service."
President Philip J. Hanlon '77 wrote in a Veterans Day message this week, "Dartmouth is extraordinarily proud of those in our community who have served in the U.S. armed forces. It is my sincere hope that you will take this opportunity to learn more about their military experiences, reflect on their service and sacrifice, and thank them for the leadership they've shown in defending our nation and the freedoms we all enjoy."
The Veterans Day Remembrance Breakfast takes place at 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at the Hanover Inn Grand Ballroom. The breakfast is hosted by Chief Human Resources Officer Scot Bemis, a retired major in the U.S. Army who earned the Bronze Star for service in Iraq. The guest speaker is Makena Harris, Tuck '20, who served with the 101st Army Airborne Division in Afghanistan and later became the Army's first battery commander in the 25th Infantry Division prior to enrolling at Tuck School of Business.
The Dartmouth 250th committee is sponsoring an all-day conference, "Dartmouth's History with the Military," from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Nov. 11 in Kreindler Conference Hall, Haldeman 41. The day will feature faculty lectures, undergraduate research presentations, and an alumni veterans panel discussion. The participants will explore Dartmouth's long history with U.S. military engagements and the effect of America's wars on students and campus life. Veteran alumni who would like to attend a box lunch with the conference speakers are invited to email an RSVP to Professor Roberta Stewart at Roberta.stewart@dartmouth.edu.
Other commemorative events, all open to the public:
- Honor the Heroes at the 244th Marine Corps Birthday Ball: from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10, in the Grand Ballroom at the Hanover Inn. Undergraduate Marines, Marine veterans and Marine Corps platoon leaders in training can attend free of charge but must reply by email to usmcbirthdayball@gmail.com in order to be seated. Others are invited to attend, at $95 per person. Proceeds will benefit the Semper Fi Fund/America's Fund.
- Armistice Bells, from 11 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, on the Green. At 11:11 a.m., the Baker Bells will play the military service hymns to mark a community-wide moment of observation commemorating Veterans Day and the end of WWI.
- A veterans of Dartmouth panel discussion with student veterans Brad Carney '20, Blaine Williams, Tuck '21, Anna Douglas, Tuck '21, and Brianna Lowe '21, will be held from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., on Monday, Nov. 11, in Paganucci Lounge, Class of 1953 Commons.
- Dartmouth College Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) will conduct the formal flag drill and retreat ceremony, which begins at 4:45 p.m. on Nov.11, on the Green. The ceremony will open with a bugler playing "Retreat," following the playing of the Service Hymns by the Baker Bells and the lowering of the flag. There is ceremonial gunfire during this drill, a symbolic way for Dartmouth to show its appreciation for members of the military.
- Matthew Slaughter, the Paul Danos Dean of the Tuck School of Business will host "Microbrews and the Military" from 6 to 9 p.m., on Nov. 11, the McLaughlin Atrium of Raether Hall. Slaughter will moderate a panel of Tuck student veterans in a discussion with members of the Tuck community over local craft beers and snacks. The event is organized by the Tuck Armed Forces Alumni Association (AFAA).
- "War, Peace, and Remembrance: A Conversation with Gen Carter Ham (Ret.)" will begin at 4:30 p.m., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, in Kreindler Hall, Haldeman 41. Daniel Benjamin, director of the John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding will moderate a discussion with the retired four star general and former commander of U.S. Africa Command. The event is sponsored by the Dickey Center, The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Public Policy, and the Dartmouth 250th committee.
- The athletics department honors veterans throughout the next week with free admission for veterans to all varsity games and by recognizing their service during the events.
A slide show of remembrance, with scores of images, some dating back to the 1800s, will be playing in Dartmouth Library's Baker-Berry Library and at many events. The presentation celebrates Dartmouth veterans and Dartmouth community members' relatives who have served.
In addition to the ceremonies and celebrations, Dartmouth is making Veterans Day buttons as a way for the community to honor veterans. They will be available throughout the month of November at all Veterans Day events, at the front desk in the human resources department, and at the front desk in Collis.
For a full list of events, visit the Veterans Events Calendar.
William Platt can be reached at william.c.platt@dartmouth.edu.
