Ivy Tech to honor veterans with celebration on Nov. 11

TERRE HAUTE -- Ivy Tech Community College-Wabash Valley and the Student Veteran Organization (SVO) will honor veterans, including its 170 student veterans, during the fourth annual Veterans Day program Nov. 11 on the main Ivy Tech campus, 8000 S. Education Drive, Terre Haute.

The 2 p.m. program will also be available via two-way video at the Greencastle campus, 915 S. Zinc Mill Rd.

The program is free and open to everyone.

Following a welcome by Chancellor Ann M. Valentine, patriotic songs will presented by the Ivy Singers. Staff and faculty members will provide special remembrances and share stories a bout Veterans Day.

A moment of silence and "Taps" will honor all military veterans who have given their lives in defense of our country. The posting and retiring of the colors by the 181st Intelligence Wing of the Air National Guard will open and close the program.

"We present this program to honor all military veterans especially the student, staff and faculty at Ivy Tech," Gary Busiere, Ivy Tech veteran support coordinator and a 38-year veteran of the military, said. "To the student veteran, it is a valued time of recognition and appreciation for service to their country. For non-veterans, it is a time to gain an understanding and realization of the sacrifices and hardships veterans have endured in the protection of their country."

Ivy Tech has been named to the 2014 Military Friendly Schools list and is ranked in the top 15 percent of all colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace America's military service members, veterans and spouses as students, and ensure their success on campus.

The college is approved for enrollment certification of students eligible to receive educational assistance (G.I. Bill) from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Student Veteran Organization operates a textbook reuse program where texts and support materials no longer accepted for buy-back in the bookstore are distributed free of charge to veterans for reference and background sources or use in preparation for future courses of study. They also distribute caps and gowns to graduating student veterans at no cost.

For more information on this program or services available to veterans, persons may contact Gary Busiere, Ivy Tech veteran support coordinator, at (812) 298-2464.