WESTFIELD — Westfield State University will honor its student veterans and all attending military members, and their families, with Military Appreciation Night at the November 10 football game against Western Connecticut State University. The Veteran’s Day Eve event will take place on Westfield State’s campus, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Currently enrolled at Westfield State are 231 military-connected students, which includes those in active-duty, veterans, and family members of both.
The event begins with a free Military/Veteran Resource Fair at 5:30 p.m. and a tailgating party from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Horace Mann Center parking lot. The fair includes information for veterans and military members with representation from Homeward Vets, Statewide Advocacy for Veterans’ Empowerment (SAVE), Veterans Inc., and Berkshire Bank, among others. In addition, there will be a collection for Homeward Vets, an organization which serves veterans in need who are underprivileged and underserved, to build their lives. Items in need include silverware, cups, plates, pots, and pans. The free tailgate event begins at 6 p.m. with hamburgers, hot dogs and other refreshments to be served.
“At Westfield State University, we have a strong commitment to our military, veterans and family members because we understand our military community,” said Lisa Ducharme, Westfield State’s veteran and military services coordinator and a retired noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force. “The Military Community Excellence Center at Westfield State University, which opened earlier this year, has been a great resource for the university’s military-connected students,” said Ducharme.
The Nov. 10 football game begins at 7 p.m. on Alumni Field. The Legion family in Westfield—which includes the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of The American Legion—will post the colors prior to kickoff. Game admission is free for veterans, military members and their families. Adult tickets are $6 and students and senior tickets are $3.
To park in the Horace Mann Parking lot, please RSVP by November 8 to [email protected] or http://www.formexperts.com/forms/E1EYNE4LBGP2
Military, veterans, their family members, and collegiate seniors will all receive buttons designating the celebration.
The event is organized by Westfield State University Athletics, the Office Veteran and Military Services, and the Westfield State Veterans Association.
