Fresno State will observe Veterans Day with several events including a flag raising ceremony Friday, Nov. 9.The university will host three events on campus, and the Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band will participate in the Fresno Veterans Parade in downtown Fresno, Sunday, Nov. 11.

The Fresno State campus is closed Monday, Nov. 12 for the national Veterans Day observance. Fresno State’s two organizations supporting student veterans are involved in the weekend’s events.

At 8:30 a.m. Friday, the Student Veterans Organization, a chapter of the national Student Veterans of America, presents the Fresno State Reveille Flag Raising Ceremony at the university flag poles located at the Thomas Administration Building (east of the Memorial Court Rose Garden).

The event will include Presenting of Colors by the Fresno State Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Color Guard with Reveille performed by bugler Jennifer Broussard, a Fresno State senior Music and Instrumental Performance major from Hanford. The National Anthem will be sung by Lorilynn Alamano, a University Police Department employee.

A moment of silence will be observed at 9 a.m., led by Omega Delta Sigma, Fresno State’s chapter of the national veterans fraternity.

At noon Friday, the new Veterans Education Program will be formally announced at a reception in the Vintage Room, followed by a dedication ceremony in the Fresno State Lab School at 2 p.m.

Mayor Ashley Swearengin has proclaimed Nov. 9 Veterans Education Day in Fresno in recognition of a new program, created to help returning veterans with educational, vocational and workforce development opportunities.

The Veterans Education Program launches in January and will serve cohorts of up to 25 students in a six-week transitional and educational curriculum. Participants will be supported by a network of more than 40 Fresno State faculty members, representing 28 departments.

At 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, the Air Force ROTC will sponsor a 5K Fun Run at the Fresno State North Gym on Campus Drive, south of Barstow. Registration is at 7:30 am.

The cost is $10. Proceeds benefit the Veterans Affairs Central California Healthcare System.

For Fun Run info: Sarah Sutton at 559.765.6702 (sasthatsme@yahoo.com) or Marlon Lewis at 916.275.7666 (marlonlewjr@live.com).

At 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, the Fresno Veterans Parade led by the Bulldogs Marching Band will depart from Fresno City Hall. Fresno State will be represented by the Air Force ROTC, student veterans’ clubs, Bulldogs cheerleaders, dance team and the mascot Timeout.

At 6 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 11, Omega Delta Sigma will hold its second annual Veterans Fundraiser at Groggs Traditional Irish Pub in Clovis (1225 N. Willow at Nees) to benefit a local veterans’ homeless shelter. Admission is free with donations accepted for raffle prizes. Dinner and beverages are available at the restaurant. A portion of the donations will benefit a local veterans’ homeless shelter.

Approximately 350 veterans are enrolled through Fresno State’s Veterans Services Office, which participates in the California State University Troops to College program, designed to attract veterans to California’s public universities and colleges.

Housed within the Division of Student Affairs, the Fresno State Veterans Services Office helps students who are veterans, reservists and active-duty personnel maximize educational benefits and understand the benefits process.

For more information, contact Robyn Gutierrez, Veterans Benefits coordinator, at 559.278.7030 or rgutierrez@csufresno.edu or Kimberly Sanchez, SVO member, at sanchez26@mail.fresnostate.edu.

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