Shepherd University will honor its student veterans on Saturday, Nov. 15, with a football game against Concord University. The Shepherd University Veterans Organization will be tailgating, selling raffle tickets and recognizing veterans during halftime.
The tailgating begins at 8 a.m., with the SUVO ready to get the party started, and ends at noon. In parking lot A, behind the dining hall, there will be food and non-alcoholic beverages on hand, as well as items to proudly wear in support of veterans.
“We want everyone to come out and have a good time. Non-alcoholic drinks and food will be there. If you are over 21, you can BYOB and we will supply the must-be-used red cup for drinking it,” Chris Barnhart, SUVO president, said.
SUVO has about 30 active volunteers who hand-make Paracord bracelets and key fobs in Ram blue and gold which will be for sale during the tailgating and at a table inside the stadium during the game. Hoodies and T-shirts will also be available to purchase.
Raffle tickets will be sold for $1 each or 6 for $5. Some items include a one-day two person bike rental from Pedal and Paddle of Shepherdstown, a $20 gift card from Twin Rivers in Shepherdstown, two one-day passes to Climbing New Heights in Martinsburg, a free 8-inch ice cream cake from the Dairy Queen in Shepherdstown and three $25 gift cards for Dominoes in Shepherdstown. Winners will be announced between the third and fourth quarters.
During graduation, flags to honor student veterans are displayed, and the SUVO seeks to own a new set. The key fobs, bracelets, hoodies, T-shirts and any donations will be used to purchase the flags.
“We borrowed them in the past, and the condition of the flags was less than acceptable,” Barnhart said.
For more information check out SUVO at shepherduniversityveteransorgainzation@gmail.com or Mary Beth Meyers, the student affairs administrative assistant veterans programming and international student services, at mwalling@shepherd.edu.