By Letty Fernandez

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – This year, UTRGV will commemorate veterans with a week of events including a Veterans Day virtual ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11.  

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony will be virtual, and the public is invited to participate via Zoom.  

“Through these times of uncertainty, we continue to find ways to connect veterans to support services that will make a positive impact on their reintegration back into civilian life and through their academic career at UTRGV,” said Elda Arriaga, director of the UTRGV Military and Veterans Success Center. 

This is the second year for the Veterans Week Series. Working with campus and community partners, the programing developed by the staff in the Military and Veterans Success Center provides veterans with an opportunity to access resources and engage with other veterans who share similar experiences.   

A highlight of the week is the Virtual Chow event that will offers student veterans a chance to get together via Zoom while enjoying a free lunch to share advice on how to finish the Fall 2020 semester on a strong note.

“Our idea behind Virtual Chow is to bring student veterans together in the safest way possible during this pandemic. This event will be a boost of morale for many student veterans that are having trouble during this pandemic and with online classes,” said Veteran Student Leader Alyssa Gillen.

All events are open to the public except for the events sponsored by the UTRGV Career Center.  

For a list of events, click here. 

 

Monday, Nov. 9 

Texas Veterans Commission: Virtual Job Searching Strategies  

Time: 9-10 a.m., Zoom: https://utrgv.zoom.us/j/85371617612 

Career Center: Project Mind Mapping  

Time: 1-2 p.m., Zoom: https://utrgv.zoom.us/j/9566652243  

This event is on Handshake and students are encouraged to register in advance. This event is open to current students and alumni only.  

 

Tuesday, Nov. 10  

Texas Veterans Commission: Let’s Talk Claims 

Time: 10-11a.m., Zoom:  https://utrgv.zoom.us/j/85371617612 

 

Wednesday, Nov. 11 

Virtual Veterans Day Ceremony  

Time: 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Zoom: https://utrgv.zoom.us/j/85371617612  

The ceremony will include the posting of the colors, singing of the national anthem and several speakers.  

 

Virtual Chow  

Time: 4-5 p.m., Zoom: https://utrgv.zoom.us/j/85371617612 

Grab your free meal from a local restaurant and join fellow Veterans for a round table discussion on Zoom to share experiences, and tips and tricks to end the semester strong.   

Veterans can check out the following links on where to get free meals: https://militarybenefits.info/veterans-day-discounts-sales-deals-free-meals/ ; https://www.military.com/veterans-day/restaurants-veterans-day-military-discounts.html ; https://www.veteransadvantage.com/blog/discounts-benefits/veterans-day-2020-food-freebies-veterans-and-active-duty-personnel-part-i 

This event is sponsored by UTRGV’s Student Veterans of America.  

 

Thursday, Nov. 12 

Mental Health Awareness  

Time: 12-1 p.m., Zoom: https://utrgv.zoom.us/j/85371617612 

There will be several presentations on resources available and a panel of veterans will share their experiences. This event is hosted by the UTRGV Military & Veterans Success Center, Counseling Center and Veterans Peer Group.  

 

Friday, Nov. 13 

Career Center: Extreme Resume Makeovers (Student Veterans)

Time: 9-10 a.m., Zoom: https://utrgv.zoom.us/j/9566652243 

These events are on Handshake and students are encouraged to register in advance. This event is open to current students and alumni only.  

Military Culture Trivia Game

Time: Noon-1 p.m., Zoom: https://utrgv.zoom.us/j/85371617612 

This event is sponsored by UTRGV’s Civic Engagement Alliance. 

For more information on the Veterans Week Series or to learn more about the UTRGV Military and Veterans Success Center, contact veteranservices@utrgv.edu.

 

ABOUT VETERANS DAY  

Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on Nov. 11, to honor military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.