Veterans Day celebration supports veterans at informal thank you poster signing event

Raven Lirio

General Manager

More than 100 students participated in Pacific Lutheran University’s Veterans Day walk-through observance on November 11. This year differed from previous years, with the event being more informal to accommodate COVID restrictions. 

“In years past, PLU has hosted a formal ceremony with a social gathering afterwards,” Alanna Rathkopf, Assistant Director of the Center for Military Support, said. “This year, due to COVID restrictions and input from the student veterans, a walk-through observance was conducted with light refreshments, fellowship and some thank you posters for anyone on campus to sign in recognition of our veterans.” 

Last year, PLU held a virtual assembly in a statewide Veterans Day observance in collaboration with the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs. Numbers last year were significantly lower than usual due to the online nature, largely due to COVID. 

“Attendance was much higher than expected,” Rathkopf said of this year’s event. “We had over 100 people stop by and sign the posters or pay their respects,”. 

In addition to the poster signing, the event also had trivia questions and opportunities to win swag that was donated by the Wounded Warrior Project. Veteran students, staff and faculty also received PLU themed buttons that read “Proudly Served” that were funded by the Center of Student Success. 

Rathkopf attributed the success this year to the support given by various organizations including the PLU Staff Council, PLU Events & Hospitality and the PLU Center for Student Success. Additional support was provided by the Office of Admissions, who held their Fall Preview Day to coincide with the event in order to welcome veterans visiting campus. 

Based upon feedback from the event this year, the Center for Military Support intends to hold a similar event in the future along with the traditional assembly. 

In observation of Veterans Day, classes were also cancelled from 11:10 a.m. to noon. This year’s festivities were hosted by the Center for Military for Support which provides a place and resources to veterans and military affiliated Lutes. 

“The space is available for hanging out, studying, watching a movie, grabbing coffee and spending time with like-minded individuals,” Rathkopf said. “Many veterans are commuter students and the Center for Military Support provides a place to spend time in between classes.”

To get involved with the Center for Military Support, you can keep an eye on their website, Facebook or Instagram. Meetings of the Student Veterans Association will be starting after Thanksgiving break.

Share your thoughts