November 06, 2009
SIUC ceremony will mark Veterans Day
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Illinois Army National Guard Command Sgt. Major William Degenhardt will present the keynote address at a Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. at the Old Main Flagpole, near the southeast corner of Woody Hall just beyond the circle intersection. Admission is free. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will move to Davies Gym. University offices are closed, and there are no classes Wednesday in observance of Veterans Day.
Degenhardt was the rear detachment command sergeant major for the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, which served in Afghanistan.
For 24 hours preceding the ceremony, a combined operation of approximately 170 cadets from SIUC’s Army and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps will conduct a time-honored tradition honoring those who have served. Cadets will stand a silent vigil beginning at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Old Main Flagpole in remembrance of the nation’s prisoners of war and those who remain missing in action. The guard changes every 15 minutes during the 24-hour period that runs until Wednesday’s ceremony. Cadets will also participate in the ceremony.
Cadets will perform a 21-gun salute and provide color guard at the ceremony.
For more information on the observance, contact Illinois Army National Guard Capt. Jonathan A. Cape, an SIUC Army Enrollment Officer, at 618/453-7573.