Veterans of Four Wars Will Take Part in Panel Discussion Sept. 11

Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 11, in an effort to promote peace and justice through service, Elmhurst College’s Niebuhr Center for Faith and Action, along with other campus groups, will sponsor educational and service events in appreciation of U.S. military veterans.

On Wednesday, the groups will host a panel discussion on The Sacrifice of Veterans, which will feature veterans from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the war in Afghanistan.  

Elmhurst College Jazz Band will perform before the discussion, and special candles will be sold at the event, with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit The Mission Continues, an organization that awards community service fellowships to post-9/11 veterans.

The Jazz Band will perform at 6 p.m., and the panel discussion will begin at 7 p.m. in the Founders Lounge of the Frick Center, 190 Prospect Ave. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (630) 617-3492.

Looking Ahead

On Thursday and Friday, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, Elmhurst College students and staff will take part in the Niebuhr Center’s fifth annual Partners for Peace effort by participating in a Stand Down, part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ efforts to provide services to homeless veterans. The Elmhurst volunteers will travel to the Humboldt Park Armory in Chicago to set up and serve meals and distribute clothing and blankets to 1,000 homeless veterans. 

The veterans appreciation activities are sponsored by the Niebuhr Center for Faith and Action; the Student Athletics and Service-Learning departments; the Office of Leadership, Service and Engagement; the Patterson Center for the Health Professions; the Chartwells dining services provider; the Office of the Chaplain; the Office of Development and Alumni Relations; the political science department; the School for Professional Studies; and Elmhurst College students.

The activities were inspired by discussions among Niebuhr Center staff and students about the men and women who will be returning from the war in Afghanistan.  

“It became clear to us that we should educate our students about the role of the U.S. military in our society and our lives, and find ways to help students prepare for the return of soldiers from the war,” said Ron Beauchamp, director of the Niebuhr Center. “These events are our way to address societal concerns around welcoming home veterans and supporting them as they return to civilian life.”