By Mia McCauley, Student Intern
Veterans Day at UW-Madison is a time to honor and reflect on the strength, dedication and courage of those who have served in the Armed Forces. Embodying the Wisconsin Idea in commitments to service and community, University Veterans Services (UVS) comes together to recognize the contributions of retired service members, student veterans, and their families.
Taking place before the Wisconsin’s Salute to Veterans football game, a tailgate will be held on November 8 at Camp Randall Memorial Park in partnership with UW Athletics and the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.
Following the tailgate kickoff, campus will continue its tributes with a special Veterans Day Celebration at Memorial Union, Tuesday, November 11. The event is dedicated to honoring those who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. military, while commemorating the centennial anniversary of Memorial Union’s groundbreaking.
Memorial Union, which is a memorial dedicated to the people of UW “who have served in our country’s wars,” has served as a long-standing tribute to UW–Madison’s veterans, representing a legacy of community and commitment to service.
The Veterans Day program will begin in the Main Lounge at 2 p.m. with a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by the Wisconsin Brass Quintet and remarks by the following speakers: Joe Rasmussen, director of University Veteran Services and a United States Marine Corps veteran; Jake Baggott, UW–Madison associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs and a United States Army and National Guard veteran; Christopher McElgunn, deputy secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and a United States Marine Corps veteran; and Brenna Pratt, a UW–Madison student and a United States Navy veteran.
Guests are invited to view highlights from the Badger Veteran Photo Project before the program. Created by the University Veterans Services team, this project shares the stories of Badger service members and veterans, revealing the person behind the uniform.
There will also be an opportunity to dedicate a postcard or dog tag to a veteran at the Salute to Service: Dog Tag Engraving Station.
“One of the first rites of passage for those who join the military is the issuance of dog tags,” said Joe Rasmussen. “In an environment where everyone is wearing the same thing, dog tags stand out as special. They become a daily reminder of individuality and the ultimate price a service member has agreed to pay, and it’s that dual purpose that makes dog tags ordinarily special. Many end up tucked away in a drawer, while others are given, either personally or after tragedy, to loved ones as a forever reminder. Our dog tag event provides our campus community a chance to join and celebrate this unique military experience.”
Outside of Veterans Day events, UVS offers resources and community for Badger veterans through support, advocacy, and the offering of education benefits since the first G.I. Bill ® after World War II.
Before I became a veteran, said student speaker Brenna Pratt, “I worked with UVS during my undergrad, and it truly could not have been a more supportive environment, and that’s continued through my experiences as a graduate student. Whether it be their guidance during the process of preparing to serve as an officer, or support through the transition from active duty to veteran, UVS was phenomenal in helping me navigate these challenges.”
Remembering the significance of the Wisconsin Idea, the principle that education should influence people’s lives outside of the classroom, Pratt recalls the way in which it reflected how she wanted to see the world, as well as the community she wanted to be a part of. Through the UVS network, Pratt felt surrounded by individuals passionate about supporting her success, in and out of the classroom. Now, as a first year veteran, she is thrilled to commemorate Veterans Day on campus and share her experience while connecting with others through her speech.
“Serving in the navy was truly the greatest honor of my life,” said Pratt. “I owe so much of who I am now to the people who shaped me and the people I served with. They taught me how to lead, allowing me to mess up, but still treating me with grace when I did. The community and comradery of the military is unlike anything else. It’s a bond that runs deep, and it will always be a part of me and my identity.”
For more information about Veterans Day at UW–Madison or additional details about University Veterans Services, visit here.
