UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s 13th annual Military Appreciation Week will take place Nov. 11 to 17. The week-long celebration will recognize and honor those who were a Prisoner of War (POW) and those that are still Missing in Action (MIA) service members and their families.
The 13th annual Military Appreciation Week will feature a week of festivities and events open to all University, local and military community members. More details will be shared this fall.
Penn State will offer service members and military family members an opportunity to attend a Penn State football game at no cost through Seats for Servicemembers once again. This year’s Penn State military appreciation football game will be held on Sept. 21 against Kent State University. The game will take place on the Saturday following National POW/MIA Recognition Day on Sept. 20. More information on Seats for Servicemembers, the ticket-request portal, and a tailgate event held prior to the game will be shared in the coming weeks.
“This year’s theme will honor those who have served and were either prisoners of war or who never had the chance to return home. Their sacrifices and the uncertainty faced by their families are a profound reminder of the cost of freedom,” said Eugene McFeely, Penn State's senior director for Veterans Affairs and Services. “Penn State is honored to have the opportunity to show our support for these individuals and support their loved ones with compassion and gratitude.”
Penn State is proud to support the men and women of the military, continuing the University’s long-standing tradition of providing them with the necessary resources and support for success in their education and careers. The University celebrated its first Military Appreciation event in 2012 and the tradition has continued to grow over the years. Each year, the military appreciation week executive board chooses a theme and last year’s theme honored military families with members who serve or have served in the U.S. armed forces.
Submit a 'Profile of Service'
Each year Penn State students, faculty, staff and alumni with military connections are encouraged to submit a profile of service for the chance to be featured on the University’s Military Appreciation website. Profiles may also be submitted by family members and loved ones.
Profiles are used to highlight the service and sacrifice of members of the Penn State community who have served or current serve in the U.S. armed forces. There is a growing collection of profiles of employees, students and alumni from across the University that can be viewed on the Penn State Military Appreciation website.
Support military appreciation at Penn State
Penn State provides multiple programs and resources to support the military community. Community members can make a donation to support a range of scholarships and programs at Penn State that support student veterans and service members, military dependents, military appreciation events and more.