Veterans Week Celebration

The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is proud to host the 2024 Veterans Week celebration.

This annual event features a week of programming that educates and celebrates the experiences and sacrifice of those who have served our country. All events are free and are open to the entire university community and to the general public unless otherwise noted. We encourage you to attend as many of these events as you can.

If you have any questions about this year’s events, please email Philip Larson, program director for U-M Veteran and Military Services, at pnlarson@umich.edu.

Schedule of Events:

10:00 am - 11:30 am: LGBTQ+ and Military Service Panel - Livestream on Zoom

Since 1778, when Lieutenant Frederick Gotthold Enslin became the first service member dismissed from the military for homosexuality, persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender have faced discrimination in the military. Since the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell," LGBTQ+ service members have been allowed to serve openly in the U.S. military, and federal benefits have been extended to cover their dependents. We will discuss how panelists’ LGBTQ+ identity intersects with their military/veteran identity and how that affected their service.

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm: Women of the Military Panel - Livestream on Zoom

Throughout our country's history, women have served vital support roles in the U.S. military. Today, the Department of Defense reports that over 230,000 women make up its active duty force, and all jobs have opened to them in recent years. They have also at times had to overcome sexist stereotypes, sexual harassment, and sexual assault, all while serving their country. Come and hear their stories of perseverance, grit, and courage when they honorably served in the U.S. military.

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Student Veterans of America U-M Chapter: Student Veteran/Military Panel - Livestream on Zoom

What do students who have served in the military think about their experiences at U-M? What made them join the military? What did they do while they were in the military? How can we best support them in their academic journey, given their unique backgrounds? These are just some of the questions you will hear answered by a group of students who have served in the U.S. military and are now studying at the University of Michigan!