Dixie State University to dedicate memorial at Veterans Day program
Dixie State University to dedicate memorial at Veterans Day program
Honoring American veterans, Dixie State University will observe Veterans Day this year with a special program featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the institution’s new Veterans Memorial.
Hosted by the DSU Veterans Club and students in the Veterans First Year Experience course, the Veterans Day program is set to take place at noon on Nov. 11 on the northeast corner of Dixie State’s Encampment Mall. Admission is free and the public is encouraged to attend.
“The whole genesis of the project was geared to bringing recognition to the veterans that are on campus,” DSU Veterans Club President Anthony Cirrito said. “They walk among us and you wouldn’t even know they’re here. The flag is a symbol of that."
In addition to dedicating the newly constructed memorial, the program will feature the Southern Utah Marine Corps League, ROTC and DSU student veterans. Additionally, the Dixie State University Chamber Singers will perform, Maj. David Jones and Maj. Justin Smith will speak and DSU President Richard “Biff” Williams will present the keynote address.
The stone monument honors the service and sacrifice of DSU veterans and is accompanied by a U.S. flag on a 40-foot pole, with two 35-foot poles on either side – one flying the Utah state flag, the other flying DSU’s flag and occasionally the Prisoners of War/Missing in Action flag. The monument also includes lighting to make the flags visible at night.
The memorial has been a community-wide project, as all of the supplies and labor for the monument’s construction were donated via student service projects, Eagle Scout projects, community members and local businesses. Home Depot is a major partner in the project and donated tools, labor and other resources. Additional project donors include Jones & DeMille Engineering, the City of St. George, Sunroc, Quick Cut Concrete Cutting, Syphus Construction, Chamberlain Stone, Southland Electrical Supply, Ence Electric, R&R Resources and Brent Ence Construction.
Dixie State University is dedicated to serving veterans and helping them succeed in college. Victory Media named Dixie State a Military Friendly School, a designation that is awarded to colleges, universities and trade schools that embrace military students and dedicate resources to ensure their success both in the classroom and after graduation.
Hosting an active veterans club, having a full-time staff member who works with veteran education benefits and participating in the Yellow Ribbon program — a partnership with the university and Veterans Affairs to reduce out-of-state tuition costs — are just a few of the practices that helped Dixie State University earn the award.
To learn more about the services and opportunities Dixie State University offers veterans, visit veterans.utahtech.edu.
