Campus closes in honor of Veterans Day

By Ashley Tidrick
The Collegian

Campus will be closed and classes will be canceled Friday, Nov. 10 in honor of Veterans Day.

Gov. Schwarzenegger recently signed AB 720, which requires the CSU system to recognize Veterans Day, Nov. 11, as a holiday and to close universities starting this year.

Previously, Fresno State acknowledged Veterans Day between Christmas and New Year’s Day by closing campus for the entire week. This is the first year campus will close on Veterans Day.

Fresno State usually organizes ceremonies, campaigns and tributes to celebrate Veterans Day.

On Nov. 9 Fresno State’s Air Force and Army ROTC will conduct a ceremony in the Maple Mall at 4 p.m. to commemorate Veterans Day. The formal ceremony will involve lowering the American flag and ushering it away for safekeeping.

The Maple Mall is part of Memorial Court, which extends from the Thomas Administration building to the Memorial Fountain. There are 65 tulip trees on the Maple Mall in memory of American submarines and soldiers killed in the 20th century. Dedicated in 2004, it is the first university campus memorial honoring submariners.

Another way the campus The Air Force and Army ROTC have not been involved in a collective ceremony like this in many years. “To us it is an awesome thing and it shows that although representing different branches of service, we are working together in service for our country,” said Cadet Josh Vasquez.

In addition to the flag-lowering ceremony, officers from each ROTC group will speak about what Veterans Day is and what it means to them and all the men and women who have served our country.
Music will also be played in appreciation to all the U.S. military branches. A moment of silence will be included to recognize all the fallen soldiers of war.

“As services members we usually celebrate this holiday by thanking those who have served our country. A handshake and a hug of thanks means the world to these individuals, it makes their day,” Vasquez said.

The flag-raising ceremony usually lasts about 30 minutes and is expected to draw a large crowd.
The public is invited to join the ceremony in honor of the veterans of the United States Armed Services.

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