AVONDALE, Arizona – Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) will be presenting a week of events and activities November 9 – 13, 2015, to celebrate and acknowledge the brave service of our nation’s past and current military.
The EMCC Veterans/Military Appreciation Week will include art, fitness and ceremonies that combine a formal spirit of honor and appreciation, with fun and celebration. Most events are free and open to the public, and held on the EMCC campus located at 3000 North Dysart Road in Avondale, AZ. The Fitness Fun Run on Veterans Day has a registration fee and will be held at the City of Avondale’s Civic Center.
“Our campus is located about five miles from Luke Air Force Base, and many of our military students appreciate having a real college campus as a learning home-base,” said Nancy Fisher, Coordinator of Veterans Services. “But EMCC is home to all branches of the military, and we welcome our Veterans, current military and their dependents to learn here...not just on Veterans Day or during Appreciation Week, but all through the year.”
The EMCC Veterans Center is a robust, friendly service center assisting military-affiliated, eligible students with VA Education Benefits and Tuition Assistance information, and helping them to connect with campus departments and support services necessary for their academic, professional and personal success.
EMCC, as one of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges, serves the educational needs of Veterans, active military and military family members, and are committed to creating a core culture of integrity, diversity, collaboration, innovation and sustainability. EMCC has consistently achieved the national designation of a Military Friendly School, and has a very active student Veterans Club offering on-campus, community and civic engagement opportunities.
Veterans/Military Appreciation Week Event Schedule
MON., November 9
Video Art Installation: “A Soldiers Burden” by Lyle Dillie
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Plaza Gallery
Gala Event and Artist Presentation
6:30 – 8:00 p.m., Plaza Gallery
“A Soldiers Burden” is a unique, artistic experience that acknowledges the sacrifice members of the U.S. military who are currently serving and away from their family and friends. Some military members are on their third, fourth or even fifth deployment to Iraq and/or Afghanistan, missing anniversaries, birthdays, childhood milestones and even the birth of their children. Lyle Dillie is an EMCC adjunct faculty, an eight-year Army veteran with two Iraq war deployments. His art includes photos and sounds that create multiple videos about the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, an original musical score in 5.1 stereo surround sound, and hand painted visages of modern American Soldiers and Marines.
TUES., November 10
Marine Corps 240th Birthday
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Plaza Gallery
November 10 is celebrated annually as a day that marks the birth of the Marine Corps and honors the proud lineage of warriors. Since the official order that established it as a Marine Corps holiday in 1921, the Marine Corps birthday has been a yearly reminder of the brave spirit that has compelled young men and women to defend our nation and its interests for more than two centuries. One key piece of the ceremony is the passing of the first piece of cake from senior to junior Marines as a symbolic gesture of the passing of experience and knowledge. These individuals will be selected from the EMCC campus community who have served or are currently serving in the Marine Corps. Members of all military branches are welcome to participate, along with campus community and the public. Guest dignitary tribute to 92-year-old PVT Lorraine Jais-Small, a WWII Marine Corps veteran and the mother of EMCC Disability Resource Center Manager Dr. Pamela Grady.
WED., November 11
Veterans Day Fitness Fun Run & Celebration
7:00 – 10:00 a.m., Avondale Civic Center Amphitheatre, 11465 W. Civic Center Dr.
EMCC Veterans Club, in partnership with the City of Avondale, is sponsoring a Fitness 5K Fun Run, benefitting the Dr. Bryan K. Tippett Memorial Fund for student scholarships. Race check-in is at 6:00 a.m. and includes five mini boot camp stations. Registration fee is $35 and $25 for veterans/military. After the race, runners, veterans and military members will receive a free pancake breakfast prepared and served by EMCC Culinary students. More info and race registration online at www.estrellamountain.edu/vetfunrun. At 9:00 a.m., a family-friendly celebration and Veterans Day Ceremony presented with the City of Avondale will include performances by EMCC Dance students with patriotic themes and special tribute to Dr. Bryan K. Tippett, and other Veterans Day presentations.
THURS., November 12
EMCC Veterans Breakfast
7:00 – 10:00 a.m., Courtyard Grille
A free breakfast of biscuits and gravy will be offered to EMCC veterans and military. Proof of military-connected affiliation is required.
Flag Retirement Ceremony
4:00 – 5:00 p.m., Campus Flagpoles and Image Zone
A Flag Retirement Ceremony will be conducted by the American Legion, Post 61 and the Tolleson Union High School Marine Corps Jr. ROTC. This ceremony is the proper, dignified way of destroying U.S. flags that are no longer fit to serve the nation. Burning is the preferred way to destroy old, worn, frayed and/or faded flags, offering the most reverent method of final tribute.
FRI., November 13
Posting of the Colors
8:00 – 10:00 a.m., Campus Flagpoles and Image Zone; Veterans Center
EMCC Marine Corps Veteran students Victor Hernandez and Daniel Hesse will post colors, followed by EMCC Army Veteran student Jessica Conde singing The National Anthem. After the ceremony, free patriotic donuts and coffee will be served in the EMCC Veterans Center located in Komatke Hall. This ceremony provides an opportunity to formally show respect for the U.S. national emblem, the symbol of freedom gained.