The Veteran Centers on each of the San Jacinto College campuses are hosting ceremonies Nov. 11 to honor veteran students and their service to the country.

The tributes vary from campus to campus, but potential activities include flag-raising presentations, performances of the national anthem, guest speakers, and scholarship awards, concluding with refreshment receptions. Congressman Brian Babin is the guest speaker on the Central Campus.

Interim Coordinator of Veterans Services Kristen Schneider said the Veterans Day ceremonies are open to the public, and she encourages the San Jac community to participate.

“We hope that our students, faculty, and staff will attend this event, on whichever campus they select, to hear more about these remarkable fellow students,” she said.

Along with the Veteran Centers, event participants include Student Engagement and Activities, the Office of Student Development, and campus music departments. Also, La Porte High School, Dobie High School, and South Houston High School are sending students to assist with flag presentations.

The College started the Veterans Day ceremonies ten years ago to commemorate the signing of the armistice that ended World War I at “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.” 

Central Campus Veteran Center Educational Planner Jimmy Sims said he hopes the commemorations are educational and motivate attendees to learn more about the past.

“All history is important, and I hope that one day, we can all say we learned something from it,” Sims said. “History is embedded in the wars that Americans have fought in.”

Since their inception, the tributes grew in size and scope, and Schneider said she hopes they continue to serve both veteran students and the larger collegiate population. 

“As a veterans’ service office, we try to offer events that will help our veterans be successful in college,” Schneider said. “My hope is that students will continue to find events useful and participate.”

Veterans Day commemorations take place on the South Campus: 8 a.m. at the campus flagpole, reception in Room 152 of the Academic Wing-North (S7); Central Campus: 8:30 a.m. at the campus flagpole, reception in Room 102 of the Interactive Learning Center (C1); North Campus: noon in Room 200 of the Student Center (N12); Maritime Campus: noon at the front entrance flagpoles; reception in the Multipurpose Room.