ANN ARBOR, Mich., October 24, 2008 – Concordia University Ann Arbor is a veteran-friendly university and employer with students, faculty and staff that have been supporting armed forces members since the beginning of the engagement in Afghanistan. The university is inviting all veterans and their families to attend a special Veterans Day Celebration and Flag Dedication on November 11, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. At this celebration, the university plans to acknowledge the veterans of the university and the community by presenting them with a commemorative gift and a $5,000 scholarship certificate issued in their name. The veteran may use the scholarship, give it to another veteran, or give it to one of their dependents.
The general public is invited to attend a flag-raising ceremony on the same day at 11:30 a.m. The U.S. Army 322nd Civil Affairs Brigade will formally present Concordia with an American flag that they flew over Baghdad in honor of Concordia’s continued support for the troops. The 322nd was stationed adjacent to the International Airport and 10 minutes from the Green Zone. The university is deeply honored to be recognized by the 322nd. The university’s current flag will be retired by a local Boy Scout troop, and the flag from Baghdad will be raised for a day before being placed in a memorial display case.
The Nov. 11 Event Schedule:
10:00 to 11:00 Light Refreshments for honored guests
11:00 to 11:25 Chapel service
- Honoring student, staff and faculty veterans
- Honoring guest veterans, reservists, guard and active armed forces
- Presentation of Iraq flown US flag to Concordia
- Worship
- Guide to Flagpole
11:25 Flag ceremonies
- Lower old flag, fold, present to Boy Scouts
- Boy Scouts lead flag retirement ceremony
- Raise Iraq flown US flag
12:00 United States Air Force Flyby
- Immediately following the National Anthem, at 12 Noon, the 127th Wing, United States Air Force salutes our veterans and servicemembers still in uniform (active duty, National Guard, Reservists) with a flyby flown by A-10 aircraft out of Selfridge Air National Guard Base.
Concordia University will host a number of service members from all branches of the military. Confirmed attendee notices have arrived from the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti VFW posts, United States Coast Guard Search and Rescue, Ann Arbor American Legion, Ypsilanti Medical National Guard Unit, Ann Arbor’s Army Reserve Training Center, and the Navy and Marine Corps Recruiters.
Concordia also would like to invite veterans to attend the HAAB School of Business & Management leadership series in April 2009, when General Jack Vessey will speak.
Concordia University Ann Arbor is a private, Christian liberal arts institution of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Concordia offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in an environment focused on the individual student. Concordia is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) and by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Concordia’s Family Life Program is approved by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). The athletics program has helped Concordia receive the recognition of a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Champions of Character institution. Concordia is located at 4090 Geddes Road in Ann Arbor, MI. For more information, visit: www.cuaa.edu.
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