Volunteers Needed for Veterans Day Roll Call Nov. 10 at UW

For the past 11 years, the University of Wyoming Veterans Services Center (VSC) has recognized the significance, solemnity and fraternal connection of Veterans Day through its Veterans Roll Call, a reading of the names of service members lost during America’s War on Terror. That time period spanned operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.

Volunteers are needed to read the names of the 7,041 military members who died serving their country for the Veterans Day event Friday, Nov. 10. The UW Marna M. Kuehne Foundation VSC will host its annual national roll call program on Simpson Plaza, joining campuses from across the country in similar events beginning at 8 a.m. Officially, Veterans Day is Saturday, Nov. 11.

“The UW community has been an ongoing partner with student veterans to fill the 74, 10-minute blocks, to complete the list of names,” says Marty Martinez, the James E. Anderson and Jill S. Anderson VSC director. “Participants also will have the opportunity to include names of family and friends who are or have served in the military -- living or deceased.”

Volunteers are needed to each read about 100 names, with each time block expected to last about 10 minutes. A specific time block may be requested, and anyone is welcome to read during multiple time blocks. Martinez says the event is open to campus and community volunteers.

The “new and improved” sign-up link can be found here. About 50 time slots to be filled are currently available.

The event begins with the presentation of the colors by UW’s Air Force ROTC, followed by a brief opening speech. Reading of names will follow until about 8 p.m.

“At the completion of their assigned names, volunteers are welcome to add names of their family and friends who are military or veterans,” Martinez says. “The VSC also is providing each participant with a ‘silver dog tag,’ which they can place on our ‘Soldier’s Cross’ statue at the completion of their reading.”

For more information about the event, call the VSC at (307) 766-6908 or email Martinez at mmarti77@uwyo.edu.