ECU honors military service, Veterans Day with special events
Cadet John Kistler rings the bell for each name read during the Veterans Day service at ECU in 2013. (Photo by Cliff Hollis)
East Carolina University will salute veterans and dedicate 58 brick pavers in a ceremony at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11 beside Christenbury Gymnasium.
The engraved pavers honor individuals who provided service in support of national defense, including military service and service to organizations such as the Veterans Administration, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Support the Troops, the Wounded Warrior Project and similar programs. The bricks will be added to the Memorial Walk across from the Freedom Wall on the west side of the gym.
Dr. Steve Duncan, director of military affairs at ECU, will speak.
Len Farris of Andover, Massachusetts, donated 30 of the pavers for his 1987 Air Force ROTC graduating class and staff at ECU. A Charlotte native, Farris earned a bachelor’s in business administration from ECU. He spent eight years on active duty as a navigator flying around the world, including more than 25 combat support missions in Operation Desert Storm.
The paver campaign raises funds for Army and Air Force ROTC student scholarships and is sponsored by the ECU College of Health and Human Performance and Office of Military Programs.
Also Nov. 11, the Ledonia Wright Cultural Center will host a roundtable luncheon and discussion from noon until 1:30 p.m. with Alex Albright, associate professor of English at ECU and author of “The Forgotten First: B-1 and the Integration of the Modern Navy.”
Albright’s book tells about 44 mostly North Carolina A&T State University students who were recruited to serve in the first regimental band composed of African-Americans. Two of the B-1 veterans, Huey Lawrence of Ayden and Abe Thurman of Beaufort, will attend the luncheon and discussion.
Pre-registration is required to attend. Contact Mariza James at jamesmar@ecu.edu or call 252-328-6495.
On Nov. 10, ECU Student Veteran Services will host a screening of the documentary, “Where Soldiers Come From,” beginning at 5 p.m. in Hendrix Theater in Mendenhall Student Center.
Emmy-award winning director Heather Courtney follows a group of friends from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula during pre-deployment, deployment and post-deployment. The film shows how the friends’ military service affects families, loved ones and communities, and how the war continues at home when the young men return from a year in combat.
Courtney and one of the film’s stars, Dominic Fredianelli, will answer questions after the screening. A reception will be held in Cynthia’s Lounge at the student center.
The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are available at ECU Central Ticket Office, or at the event. Contact Mary Beth Corbin at corbinm@ecu.edu for more information.
Beginning Nov. 8, the Pirate Veterans Organization will display its first Field of Honor at the ECU Veteran’s Memorial. Traditional graveside-sized flags will be placed to honor and remember veterans, military service members and military supporters.
Flags are $5 and can be purchased at the Student Veteran Services office in Brewster D107. For questions, email pirateveterans@ecu.edu or vets@ecu.edu. All proceeds will go to support homeless veterans. The flags will be on display through Nov. 15.