WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Nov. 3, 2017 — West Liberty University student veterans are planning a special flag raising ceremony at noon, Wednesday, Nov. 8 in honor of Veterans Day. This is a first time ceremony for the campus.
“We are pleased to be able to perform this flag ceremony on the quad for students and staff to observe and enjoy. It is important to honor the flag and the memory of all who have served in the armed forces on Veterans Day and always,” said Travis Howe, who is a senior double majoring in math and chemistry and serves as the Student Veteran Representative on campus.
A team of four veterans will take part in the ceremony with special assistance from WLU President Stephen Greiner who will be the fifth man on the team and his role will be to clip the flag to the rope. Other members of the team include: Zacharie Budreau, Antonio Venskoske, Nicholas Stripe and Tiffany Grigsby.
Student Brenna Brummage will sing the National Anthem.
“It is a common practice to raise and lower the flag in a formal manner on all military bases and buildings and it’s an important ceremony. We wanted to do it at this particular time when the most number of students and staff are available to view it.”
Howe resides in the town of West Liberty and also is the student veterans official representative on campus. He assists veterans and mans the Student Veteran Lounge, located on the second floor of the Student Union.
He began his college career in fall of 2011 then enlisted in the National Guard before finishing his college career.
He also holds a meeting on the first and third Wednesdays of the month to address any concerns the veterans may have.
Howe is a veteran of the West Virginia Army National Guard and expects to graduate in May. He plans on continuing his service by enrolling in flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
West Liberty University has about 20 active veterans and more than 40 GI Bill recipients, according to GI Bill Coordinator Cheryl Mielke.
The video below shows the flag run honoring United States Veterans, performed at yesterday’s night game at West Family Stadium during Military and Law Enforcement Appreciation night.
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