NMSU Military and Veterans Appreciation Week begins Nov. 8
![People sitting at tables outside](https://news.nmsu.edu/images/vets_day_picnic.jpg)
New Mexico State University will be celebrating Military and Veterans Appreciation Week Nov. 8-16. The fifth annual event will focus on enhancing, supporting and appreciating the NMSU military and veteran community.
“It is important to remember that without the sacrifice and service of veterans we wouldn’t enjoy the same freedoms and liberties that we do today so everyone should have an appreciation of what veterans have done for our country. The Military and Veterans Appreciation Week gives us the opportunity to show our gratitude,” said Hector Sanchez, Military and Veterans Programs director, who is an Air Force veteran and NMSU alumnus.
Military and Veterans Appreciation Week events begin Friday, Nov. 8 with the Faculty & Staff Military Veteran banquet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the NMSU Fulton Center Danny Villanueva Victory Club. Retired White Sands Missile Range Commander Army Brig. Gen. Eric Sanchez will talk about the role of higher education within the military. Recently, he joined NMSU as the Physical Science Laboratory deputy director. The banquet is by invitation only, please contact mvp@nmsu.edu or 575-646-4524 for availability.
The following day, Saturday, Nov. 9, the Veterans Day Parade will begin at 11 a.m. in downtown Las Cruces. NMSU’s Army and Air Force ROTC will be marching in the parade. The
Student Veterans Organization will be representing NMSU’s military and veteran students in the
parade. Visit www.lascrucesvetday.org for more information on the Veterans Day Parade.
The Military and Veterans Appreciation Week opening ceremony will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10 at the Aggie Memorial Tower at the College of Health and Social Services building. Former Secretary of the New Mexico Department Veterans’ Services and retired Army Brig. Gen. Jack R. Fox will be a featured guest speaker.
On Tuesday, Nov. 12, the Veterans Day picnic will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Garcia Center Courtyard. There will be several information tables from NMSU departments and local Veteran Service Organizations, including the Las Cruces Vet Center mobile van.
On Wednesday, Nov. 13, the Student Veterans Organization will have an information table outside Corbett Center Student Union’s main entrance from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn about them and issues concerning military and veteran students on campus while playing fun yard games.
On Thursday, Nov. 14, ROTC and Armed Forces Recruiters Day will give students the opportunity to meet with local recruiters in the area behind Young Hall from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Military and Veterans Appreciation Week will end Saturday, Nov. 16 with the NMSU Aggies vs. University of the Incarnate Word Cardinals football game at Aggie Memorial Stadium at 2 p.m. The Student Veterans Organization of NMSU will tailgate from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside the stadium. Follow NMSU MVP on Facebook and Twitter @NMSUMVP for updates on the week’s events.