RENO, Nev. — In honor of Veterans Day, the University of Nevada, Reno Veteran Services department will hold three events the week of the observance – a flag-planting event on Nov. 6 and a flag retirement ceremony and a Purple Heart and disabled veteran parking space unveiling on Nov. 9.
On Nov. 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., University students, faculty and staff will plant more than 2,000 flags into the lawn of the Gateway Plaza. Hosted annually since 2012, the flag-planting event recognizes all those individuals who choose to serve in the United States.
On Nov. 9 at noon, the department will hold a flag retirement ceremony in front of the Joe Crowley Student Union to retire flags that are no longer fit for duty in a dignified and proper manner. Following the ceremony, the department will hold an unveiling event on the first floor of the Brian J. Whalen Parking Complex to celebrate the addition of two Purple Heart and disabled veteran parking spots on campus. The spots, which are located on the first floor of the Whalen Complex and the fourth floor of the Gateway Parking Complex, are reserved for veterans who have earned the Purple Heart medal and disabled veterans.
The Purple Heart is a U.S. military decoration awarded to those wounded or killed in action and is the oldest military award still given to members of the U.S. military. George Washington presented the first medal, then called the Badge of Military Merit, in 1782 to recognize bravery in combat.
“We believe that merely offering thanks to our veterans for their selfless service to our great nation is not enough. The University strives that our actions speak louder than our words; we hope this recognition will continue to show our dedication to those who choose to serve,” John Pratt, coordinator of veteran services, said. “Beyond Purple Heart veterans, we recognize those veterans who have been permanently disabled for the rest of their lives and selflessly choose to serve our country.”
Flag-planting event
WHAT/WHO: University of Nevada, Reno students, faculty and staff will plant 2,000 flags into the grass of the Gateway Plaza during an event hosted by the University Veterans Services department.
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 6, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE: Gateway Plaza located in front of the Joe Crowley Student Union.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Media can take b-roll footage of the flag-planting event, and Niccole Weaver, the student facilitating the event will also be available for interviews.
Flag retirement ceremony
WHAT: The University of Nevada, Reno Veteran Services department will retire flags that are no longer fit for duty in a dignified and proper manner.
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 9, at noon
WHERE: Gateway Plaza located in front of the Joe Crowley Student Union.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Media can take b-roll footage of the flag retirement ceremony, and a student representative, Ryan Mitchell, will also be available for interviews.
Purple Heart Ceremony
WHAT/WHO: University of Nevada, Reno leadership, faculty, staff and students as well as members of the veteran community will celebrate the unveiling of Purple Heart and disabled veteran parking spots on campus. The event will include remarks from John Pratt, coordinator of veteran services and admissions, and University President Brian Sandoval.
WHEN: Thursday, November 9, 12:15 p.m.
WHERE: First floor, south end of the Brian J. Whalen Parking Complex
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Veteran and University alumna, Jodi Muratori, will be available for interviews following the ceremony.
MORE: The University of Nevada, Reno Veteran Services department provides a wide range of support and referral services for all undergraduate and graduate students who are veterans, currently serving either on active duty or in the Reserve or National Guard. The department also provides services for veterans in college readiness and employment as well as support for qualified dependents.
Learn more about the Veteran Services department.
Media Contact
Jessica Lozada
Communications Officer
Marketing and Communications
Phone: (775) 784-6186
Email: jfagundes@unr.edu
The University of Nevada, Reno is a public research university that is committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. Nevada’s land-grant university founded in 1874, the University serves 21,000 students. The University is a comprehensive, doctoral university, classified as an R1 institution with very high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Additionally, it has attained the prestigious “Carnegie Engaged” classification, reflecting its student and institutional impact on civic engagement and service, fostered by extensive community and statewide collaborations. More than $800 million in advanced labs, residence halls and facilities has been invested on campus since 2009. It is home to the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and Wolf Pack Athletics, maintains a statewide outreach mission and presence through programs such as the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Small Business Development Center, Nevada Seismological Laboratory, and is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Through a commitment to world-improving research, student success and outreach benefiting the communities and businesses of Nevada, the University has impact across the state and around the world.
