What: The University of Texas at El Paso’s Military Student Success Center has organized activities to honor and support its military-affiliated students and inform the rest of the student body during its third annual Military Appreciation Week.
When: Monday, May 4, through Saturday, May 9. See the schedule at military.utep.edu and click on Military Appreciation Week.
Where: Mostly on campus
UTEP will recognize its military-affiliated students for their service and sacrifice during the university’s third annual Military Appreciation Week.
The activities range from fun to informative and include a visit from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 9, to the Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veteran’s Home, 9650 Kenworthy St. in Northeast El Paso.
Among the highlights are the “Soldier for a Day” activity from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, May 4, where guests can see, feel and taste what it is like to wear a Kevlar helmet, sit in a Humvee, strap on a 45-pound rucksack and eat an MRE (Meals Ready to Eat).
A formal kickoff will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 4, in the Union Plaza to include speeches, an opportunity to write a “Thank You” note to deployed service personnel, and a performance by the 1st Armored Division Band as part of UTEP’s High Noon music series.
A panel discussion about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) followed by a screening of 2015 Academy Award Best Picture nominee “American Sniper” starts at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, in the Union Cinema. General admission is $2, but the event is free to military-affiliated guests with valid ID. The military ID also will earn cardholders discounts throughout the week at UTEP food venues.
Military-affiliated graduation candidates may attend a special reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 7, in the Fort Bliss Centennial Club. Candidates will receive a red, white and blue graduation cord and a ceremonial coin.
Organizers have scheduled other social and informative activities during the week such as resume reviews, mock interviews and opportunities to build the camaraderie among military-affiliated students, and the understanding of the Military Student Association and the Military Student Success Center (MSSC).
“This is a chance for the public to say thank you,” said Nadia Muñoz, an Army veteran and MSSC director. “(Veterans) all know the struggles, but we also know how to succeed. We learn from each other.”