Veterans Week 2026

The Washtenaw County Department of Veterans Affairs (WCDVA) assists veterans, their survivors, and dependents in filing claims for benefits from federal, state, and local governments that may result in disability compensation, VA pension/survivors pension, and education benefits. They also help with financial assistance (emergency relief), rent/mortgage, food, utilities, transportation needs, and more. If you are a veteran, a loved one is a veteran, or soon to become one, this session is for you.

Michigan League Kalamazoo Room

Kevin Kidder is a distinguished leader with 20 years of service in the United States Army, the majority of which were spent in leadership roles. Transitioning from military service, he discovered firsthand the struggles of identity, purpose, and connection that many veterans face once the uniform comes off. 

Out of that journey came "The Invisible Veteran," his first book, written to help service members and their families reclaim purpose and build lives of meaning beyond the military.

As evidenced by this project, Kevin is passionate about leadership, personal growth, and building communities where veterans and spouses are seen, valued, and equipped for the next chapter of life.

Michigan League Kalamazoo Room

Have breakfast, socialize, and network with women who have served or are serving in the U.S. military! This breakfast, in the Michigan League, celebrates women’s contribution and service in the United States military.

A total of nearly 9,000 women served as nurses in the Vietnam War. Their average age was 23, and most had just graduated from nursing school when they volunteered. Eight of them died in the war. Panelist Mary Stolz, an Iron Mountain, Michigan resident, kept wounded men from bleeding out. Panelist Denny Schoville was one such critically wounded casualty. The helicopter pilot, with a Distinguished Flying Cross, two Silver Stars, and a Bronze Star, was shot in the temple and left calf and still managed to land his bullet-riddled chopper. A nurse kept him from bleeding out and stabilized him so that he could be flown to a fully equipped Army hospital in Japan. Panelist Peter Dodge trained as an Army medic and volunteered for Vietnam but was sent to Thailand to provide public health services. As a result of Peter's and fellow MEDCAPS work, Vietnam was only the second U.S. war in which fewer men died of disease than in battle. The panel is moderated by Lawrence Dolph, who served on Night Ambush Patrol for the 9th Infantry Division and later as a U.S. Army News correspondent.

Michigan League, Kalamazoo Room

The time period from the moment on Sept. 11, 2001, when the U.S. was attacked, to the present day has been defined as a global war on terror. Unlike previous wars and conflicts, and much like the Cold War of the last century, this war’s boundaries, objectives, end, and even enemies have been elusive to pin down. It has resulted in two wars, many smaller conflicts, and many lives lost. In this panel, we hear from the men and women who have served during this era.

Michigan League, Kalamazoo

What do students who have served in the military think about their experiences at U-M? What made them join the military? What did they do while they were in the military? What was their transition from military to U-M like? These are just some of the questions you will hear answered by a group of students who have served in the U.S. military and are now studying at the University of Michigan!

The Ark in Ann Arbor

Initially, the concert celebrated John Lennon’s birthday and was aimed at raising funds for the Veterans for Peace (VFP) Peace Scholarship Program. (See the VFP website for the application). When initially asked if it was OK to use Lennon’s name, Yoko Ono supported this cause with a $10,000 donation. Over the past 16 years, the tradition has continued with many local musicians (the lineup is coming in mid-October on the VFP website) donating their time to play folk music, pop music, bluegrass, and other genres in support of this scholarship program.

Tickets can be acquired from The Ark and VFP members ($20) or at The Michigan Ticket Office or online ($24). For any questions, contact Bill Shea at [email protected] or 734-662-0818.

Central Campus Diag

Join us for the ceremonial raising of the flag. This tradition is done each day at every military base and station across the U.S. and around the world. Come and join us as we respect those who continue to serve their country and those who have served by participating in this important tradition.

Michigan League Ballroom

Invitation Only

(for faculty/staff/students who have served in the military)

If you have served or are serving in the military, we want to thank you for your service to our country with a drop-in luncheon!  Formal remarks will take place from noon to 12:30 p.m. If you are faculty, staff, or a student who has served or is currently serving in the U.S. military and did not get an invitation, please email [email protected].

Michigan Union Pond Room

Even before WWI, women have served vital supportive roles in the U.S. military. Now, women are serving alongside their male counterparts in some of the most dangerous work in the military. Often they have to overcome sexist stereotypes, sexual harassment, or worse, all while serving their country. Come and hear their stories of perseverance, grit, and courage as they honorably served in the U.S. military. Hosted by Katherine Fiorillo, U.S. Army veteran.

Central Campus Diag

Join us for the ceremonial lowering of the flag. This tradition is done each day at every military base and station across the U.S. and around the world. Come and join us as we respect those who continue to serve their country and those who have served by participating in this important tradition.

Michigan Union, Pond Room

Since 1778, when Lieutenant Gotthold Frederick Enslin became the first service member dismissed from the military for homosexuality, persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender have faced discrimination in the military. Since the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," LGBTQ+ service members have been allowed to serve openly in the U.S. military, and federal benefits have been extended to cover their dependents. Come hear veterans talk about their service, sacrifice, and discrimination they faced while serving their country.

Michigan Union, Pond Room

The Office of Enrollment Management and Veteran and Military Services present an interactive lecture focusing on military service and transitioning out of the military as it relates to military-connected students. Sessions include Military 101, Myths and Stereotypes of Military Service, VA Healthcare and VA Benefits, and Resources for Military-connected Students. 

Michigan Union Wolverine Room

In the fall of 1944, German flak shredded a U.S. bomber in the skies over Austria. Four crew parachuted from the burning aircraft, but six spiraled five miles to their deaths. Among the dead was tail gunner Delbert Trueman. It had been his first mission. His remains would not return home for more than four years.

In the years following World War II, Trueman’s journey home would be repeated 170,000 times, as poignantly described in “The Last Full Measure,” a powerful work blending one family’s story with the history of a monumental military effort.

Kim Clarke masterfully weaves this emotional journey and deeply personal family drama together with the larger story of the army’s Return the Dead Program that brought home more than 170,000 fallen soldiers from around the world. Here are accounts of the Japanese-American soldier who began the war in an internment camp and led a small unit that searched France and Austria for dead Americans; the civilian embalmer who processed some 10,000 soldiers; the captain of a transport ship that ferried 6,500 caskets at a time across the Atlantic; the military escorts who accompanied the dead on the final legs of their trips home; and the career soldier who managed the operation.

Solemn and heartrending, but also inspiring, “The Last Full Measure” completes the war story of those who died in foreign lands during World War II. It stands as a tribute to those who gave the last full measure in battle and to the unsung heroes who gave their own full measure to bring them home.

Author Kim Clarke will talk about her research and her journey in writing the book. Q&A session will follow the lecture.

Ford Presidential Library

Over 50 years ago, a groundbreaking moment changed the course of history. On Oct. 7, 1975, President Ford signed Public Law 94-106, opening enrollment to women at U.S. service academies.

Author Kathleen Kornahrens will tell of her experience as a member of the first class to include women at the U.S. Air Force Academy as detailed in her book, "'Bring Me Men…' Brought Women: Marching with the First Female Cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy."

Retired Colonel Gail Colvin, USAF will join her to examine the legacy of President Ford’s signature.

Britt Tyrrell from VA Healthcare and Jon Cugini from VA Benefits will answer questions about the nearby VA hospital, healthcare eligibility, benefits for veterans and dependents, and VA educational benefits.

Do you want to learn the unwritten rules of the university? Are you searching for the hidden maps to funding and professional success? This workshop helps you solve the puzzle of the hidden curriculum within the university landscape. We provide the tools to navigate the complex systems of funding and campus culture. You will gain the skills needed to build your own path to academic achievement. This workshop supports master's students, doctoral students, post-doctoral students, and post-bachelor students, especially those who identify as student caregivers and veterans or active military.

Ross School of Business, Robertson Auditorium

Every year, in honor of Veterans Day, the Ross School of Business Armed Forces Association hosts a series of veteran speakers sharing the experiences that made them the leaders that they are today. VETx is your chance to connect with the men and women of the Ross veteran community and to hear about some of the hardest-earned lessons and insights in the entire Ross student body. This year we are back to a live, in-person event featuring a series of long and short stories from veteran MBA students.