The University of Central Arkansas and the City of Conway will host the annual Veterans Day Celebration Nov. 11 at Estes Stadium.
This year’s Veterans Day Celebration will kick off at 9 a.m. with a formal flag-raising ceremony in downtown Conway at Simon Park. UCA’s ROTC will provide a Color Guard. Crain Buick GMC Automotive Team of Conway will lead a convoy of soldiers and participants to UCA after the flag-raising.
Activities at Estes Stadium will begin at 10 a.m. The day-long festivities will include live music, radio remote broadcasts by Y-107 and The Point 94.1, aircraft and military displays, a flag display, giveaways and plenty of free food and games. The event is free and open to the public.
A special ceremony honoring veterans will be held at 1:40 p.m. at the stadium. More than 100 balloons will be released in honor of each Arkansan killed in service since Sept. 11, 2001.
Since 1996, the university has acknowledged the contributions of service men and women. Melanie Epperson, co-chairman of the Veterans Day Committee, said it is important to recognize veterans for their sacrifice.
“With so many our veterans feeling alone and forgotten at times, I think this is an excellent opportunity for us to show them we still care and respect them and value the sacrifices they have made,” she said. “We hope that the outpouring of community support we show them on Nov. 11 will help them proudly remember the mark of distinction they bear as uniformed service members.”
The Veterans Day activities are funded exclusively through donations.
“This year’s Veterans Day Celebration will be the biggest yet for UCA and the City of Conway,” said Brooks Walthall, co-chairman of the Veterans Day Committee. “… We need our community at UCA and in Conway to help us show our appreciation to our nation’s veterans and their families. All events are free and open to the public, and we encourage everyone who can to come out and thank our troops. “
This event is underwritten by the Conway Crain Team Buick – GMC dealership and Acxiom Corporation.
