West Virginia University is honoring student, faculty and community veterans during its annual Veterans Appreciation Breakfast Wednesday, Nov. 11 from 8-9:30 a.m. at the Erickson Alumni Center.

The event is sponsored by the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in partnership with the Division of Human Resources, Army ROTC, Air Force ROTC and the Division of Student Life.

Themed “Honoring Our Heroes,” the event will include the Presentation of Colors, a military prayer, a POW/MIA tribute and guest speakers.

Major Lindsey ‘Amber’ Brugnoli-O’Hara, assistant dean for Career Services at the WVU College of Law will serve as the event’s keynote speaker. Brugnoli received her commission through the Air Force ROTC program, serving as the Cadet Wing Commander her senior year. She was selected as the 2001 Distinguished Graduate, placing her in the Top 10 percent of ROTC cadets nationwide. Rather than entering active duty, Brugnoli served on reserve status in the Educational Delay program and attended WVU’s College of Law. She entered the Judge Advocate, or “JAG” Corps in 2004. In 2008, she deployed to Baghdad, Iraq as part of Task Force 134: Detainee Operations and was Chief of the Central Criminal Court of Iraq’s Cold Cases Project, successfully pushing over 150 cases of insurgent violence to trial. After leaving active duty in 2008, Maj Brugnoli entered the reserves, completing tours as a staff counsel with the Air Force’s Officer Accession and Training Schools and the 11th Wing, Home of Air Force One.

Additional speakers are President Gordon Gee, Jack Bowman, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of Army for West Virginia, and Barbara Evans Fleischauer, WV House of Delegates. The Veterans’ Appreciation Breakfast will include the Presentation of Colors, Prayer for All Military, and POW/MIA Tribute, and patriotic music and an inspiring message on behalf of our country and our Armed Forces.

The WVU Faculty Senate has designated Veterans Day as a Day of Special Concern, giving WVU veterans and military students the option to miss classes on Veterans Day in order to participate in events and ceremonies. Instructors have been asked to make allowance for veterans/military students to be excused from class.

The University is asking supervisors to be flexible and allow veteran employees to attend the breakfast. Accommodations can be made for veterans requiring transportation by contacting Sharon Mallow at 304.293.5600.

Registration is encouraged, as seating is limited. A registration form can be completed online here.

-WVU-

hr/11/06/15

CONTACT: WVU Veteran Affairs, 304.293.8262

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