UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – On Monday, Nov. 11, Penn State will host its annual breakfast and ceremony to honor the service and sacrifice of veterans of the U.S. armed forces. The Military Appreciation Breakfast will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. in Alumni Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center and the annual Veterans Day ceremony will begin at 11:11 a.m. in front of the Old Main steps. In the event of bad weather, the ceremony will be moved to Flex Theater in the HUB-Robeson Center. The event will be livestreamed via this link for those unable to attend in person.

The annual Penn State Employee and Student Military Service Recognition Breakfast, hosted by Penn State’s Veteran Employee Resource group, Vet-aLIONce, recognizes Penn State employees and students in the military. Students, faculty and staff who currently serve or have served in the armed forces are invited to attend the breakfast, which will feature light refreshments, entertainment and networking. Please register for this event in advance at this link.

This year’s breakfast will feature a special addition: a short film honoring the family of a veteran who was designated as a POW/MIA. The film, "Echoes of Honor: The Story of Major Lewis P. Smith II," focuses on the resilience and experiences of families with loved ones in such difficult situations. Attendees will have the opportunity to witness a powerful portrayal of what these families endure and the strength they embody. For more information on Major Lewis P. Smith II and his family, read this recent Penn State News article.

The ceremony will kick off the University’s 13th annual Military Appreciation Week, with celebrations honoring those who were a Prisoner of War (POW) and those who are still Missing in Action (MIA) service members and their families.

For more information, visit the Penn State Military Appreciation website.