Slate of Events Will Honor College's Military Community

Virginia Peninsula Community College will honor its military-affiliated students during a weeklong series of events leading up to Veterans Day.

"We are really focusing on bringing recognition and showing our appreciation as well," said Brandie Weaver, Veterans Services manager at the College.

Among the highlights is a tree planting in honor of veterans on Nov. 8 at the Historic Triangle campus in Williamsburg. The tree will be planted in the small area between the main parking lot and the building, to the left of the sidewalk.

"It's going to be very prominent," Weaver said, adding there will be a big rock with a placard on it that reads "Virginia Peninsula Community College Veterans Day 2022."

Weaver and her team (Kathy Carbaugh and David Lannon) will place small American flags at the main entrance of every building on both campuses after the ceremony.

The big event, a banquet, will take place Thursday, Nov. 10 at the Hampton campus. Honoring veterans, it is set for 5:30-9 p.m. in the Wythe Hall Gallery. Since the theme of the annual Veterans Art Show is "Everybody has a Story," that will be carried over to the banquet.

"We'll have an open mic, and if anybody wants to get up and speak about their story, they're more than welcome to," she said.

Reservations for dinner are due Nov. 3.

The week will close with an intimate ceremony on Veterans Day at the Military and Veteran Services Center in Wythe Hall, Room 253. Starting at about 10:30 a.m., it will include brief remarks, a poetry reading, and an 11:11 a.m. moment of silence. Light refreshments will be served.

The week's schedule:

Monday, Nov. 7: Representatives from Military and Veteran Services and Student Veterans of America will volunteer 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank at 2401 Aluminum Ave. in Hampton. They will be filling backpacks for children.

Tuesday, Nov. 8: Tree planting at 10 a.m., Historic Triangle campus

Wednesday, Nov. 9: Entries from the fourth annual Veterans Day art show will be on display in Wythe Hall Gallery and Military and Veteran Services Center.

Thursday, Nov. 10: Banquet 5:30-9 p.m. featuring guest speakers and an open mic for anyone to share their story. Wythe Hall Gallery

Friday, Nov. 11: Veterans Day ceremony, 10:30 a.m. at Military and Veteran Services Center; an 11:11 a.m. moment of silence