

On Veterans Day, University Veteran Services hosted two events to acknowledge the rich military history of the UW-Madison campus and celebrate all our Badger veterans and service members both past and present.
The morning kicked off with the Veterans Day Recognition Breakfast at the Memorial Union. UVS warmly welcomed veterans, service members, and their families from the campus community and the greater Madison area. Inside the Great Hall, the UW Brass Quintet filled the air with stirring melodies, while veterans and community members of all ages gathered, exchanging stories and connecting over shared experiences.
In the background, UVS projected the 2024 Badger Veteran Photo Project slides for all to appreciate. Curated by UVS and featuring materials submitted by students, alumni, and staff, the Badger Veteran Photo Project honors all Badger veterans and service members. Each slide highlights the military and civilian lives of a Badger veteran through personal photos and quotes, celebrating the diverse identities that make Badger veterans truly remarkable.

As the national anthem played, the room rose in unison, hands over hearts and eyes fixed on the American flag. To conclude the breakfast, Dr. Fernie Rodriguez, Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, and John Koller, Marine Corps veteran and UW-Madison alumnus gave inspiring remarks. Veterans and guests listened attentively as Dr. Fernie discussed the importance of our Badger veterans on campus, while John Koller shared stories from his military experience.

While people waited for their dog tags, UVS invited them to walk around Library Mall and view the educational display signs posted around the area. These signs acknowledged the military history of the buildings surrounding Library Mall such as the Memorial Library, a building dedicated to World War II veterans; The Red Gym and Armory, a building with rich military history from mandatory military training and later ROTC headquarters; and Memorial Union, a living war memorial originally built to memorialize World War I veterans and serve as a student support center for returning soldiers.

The Veterans Day events hosted by University Veteran Services provided an opportunity to celebrate and honor present veterans as well as reflect and recognize the military history embedded in the campus landscape. The day was filled with reflection, connection, and acknowledgment of the veterans who shaped our lives and the profound impact veterans had both on campus and the greater community.