By Mathew Pratt
Grand Rapids Community College is hosting their annual Veterans Day observance to honor those who served in the military and made sacrifices to keep the country safe. GRCC will also take time to reflect on students lost during the observance.
This year’s event will also celebrate GRCC’s new Veterans Center located on floor G2 of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall. The center is a place where student veterans are able to be connected with support services and enjoy fellowship with others in their community. An open house for the center will take place following the observance.
“Our Veterans Day observance is celebratory and solemn,” said GRCC Communications Director Dave Murray. “We are proud of the students, employees, and community members who served in our nation’s armed forces.”
GRCC has a memorial as a base to the flagpole near the lion fountain, featuring the names of students who have died. The memorial was restored this year after renovations were made at the RJF Hall. Little flags will be given out at the end of the ceremony for the memorial.
“It’s very moving to see all the people attending the event move towards the memorial and surround it with flags,” Murray said.
The celebration will be held Thursday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at the GRCC Veterans memorial located on the south end of Juan R. Olivarez Student Plaza outside of RJF Hall.
