Daemen College will honor veterans and current military service members at a tree planting ceremony being held in celebration of Veterans Day at noon Nov. 10 near the college’s new Founders Bell, located outside Rosary Hall.
The ceremony will begin with remarks given by Christopher Reed, president of the Daemen Student Veterans Alliance, followed by the planting of a cherry tree by Daemen’s Founders Bell, which was unveiled this fall at the college’s inaugural Founders Celebration. The event, which is free and open to the public, will close with a ceremonial ringing of the bell in recognition of past and current military service members.
On Nov. 11, the Student Veterans Alliance will kick-off a “22 Pushup Challenge” as part of a national effort to help raise awareness about veteran suicide. The college community will be invited to do 22 pushups for 22 days and post videos of their participation at #Daemen22 or facebook.com/SVAatDaemen. Sponsors for participants are welcome with donations to benefit veteran suicide prevention initiatives offered by various organizations.
The challenge will run through Dec. 3, and top sponsored participants will engage in a final challenge during half time of the men’s basketball game on Dec. 8 in Daemen’s Lumsden Gymnasium.
On Nov. 11, Daemen student veterans and their families will be admitted for free to the 4 p.m. men’s basketball game in the Lumsden Gym. All veterans in attendance will also be will be recognized at half time.