MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State University Veterans Center will commemorate Veterans Day during the week of Nov. 4, culminating with a presentation on Friday, Nov. 8.
“We are proud to announce our Veterans Week Community Fair lineup for Minot State University’s 2019 Veterans Week, with the intention of recognizing all living military personnel who served honorable in the U.S. Armed Forces and extending a special thanks to those who served the United States during a conflict,” Andy Heitkamp, Minot State Veterans Center director, said.
The community fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second floor of the Student Center with different service providers available each day of the week.
On Monday, Nov. 4, the North Dakota National Guard, Vet Center, United States Army, North Dakota Departments of Veterans Affairs (NDDVA) Family Assistance, Independence, Inc., and a military outreach specialist will be at the fair, while on Tuesday, Nov. 5, the American Legion Auxiliary, American Veterans (AMVETS), Community Options, Inc., and a Minot Air Force Base community support coordinator will be available. Wednesday, Nov. 6 features the American Legion, Minot Area Homeless Coalition, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Supportive Services for Veteran Families, and representatives from HUD-VASH, a collaborative program between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the VA that combines HUD housing vouchers with VA support services. The fair continues Thursday, Nov. 7 with the North Dakota Job Service, Ward County Veterans Services, and Center for Rural Health/Traumatic Brain Injury before concluding on Friday, Nov. 8 with Disabled American Veterans and Team Red White and Blue.
Friday will also feature a brief Veterans Day program led by Heitkamp at 11:30 a.m. in the Westlie Room, located on the third floor of the Student Center. This event is free and open to the public.
“The reason we celebrate Veterans Day on campus prior to the actual date, Nov. 11, is because it is a Federal Holiday and campus is closed,” Heitkamp said.
Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, originally began as a holiday to honor the end of combat during World War I on Nov. 11, 1918. Following World War II and the Korean War, the 1954 U.S. Congress changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor American veterans of all wars.
For more information about the Veterans Week Community Fair, Veterans Day presentation including free parking passes, or the Minot State Veterans Center, contact Heitkamp at andy.heitkamp@MinotStateU.edu or 701-858-4002.