Iowa Wesleyan College will hold a Veterans Day program honoring current and former military personnel on Thursday, November 11. The program will begin at 11 a.m. in the Science Hall Auditorium and be followed by a luncheon.
The Forum program, “Why We Serve: Values and Military Service,” will feature three military service members, two of whom are current Iowa Wesleyan College students. They will speak about their motivations to serve, their experiences in the service and the demands and rewards of military service.
Presenters are:
Sarah Stapp, of Davenport, Iowa, who served in the United States Army for eight years as a diesel mechanic. She completed three tours of Iraq, achieving the rank of staff sergeant. She is studying nursing at Iowa Wesleyan.
Mark Robinson, originally from North Guilford, Connecticut, who served in the United States Navy for more than 21 years. He began his career as an aviation anti-submarine warfare operator. He was deployed in numerous locations around the world. He served as an instructor at the Fleet Aviation Specialized Operational Training Group for the Atlantic Fleet. He is studying education at Iowa Wesleyan.
Captain Nate VanLoon, son of Iowa Wesleyan College education professor Preston VanLoon. He was commissioned as an officer in the Air Force after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy. He currently serves as a commander with the Join Communications Support Element at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. He recently returned from deployment and will return to the Middle East in a few weeks.
The program is open to the public at no charge.
Following the program, a luncheon will be held in the Student Union. All veterans are invited to attend as guests of the College.
As part of the Veterans Day recognition, donations of personal care items, reading materials, non perishable food items, and financial contributions to supply holiday gift boxes for military personnel are being accepted. Donations can include drink mixes, beef jerky/slim jims, travel size baby wipes and hand sanitizer, all sizes of batteries, DVD movies, cards and letters. Donations will be accepted at the Veterans Day presentation in the IWC Science Hall Auditorium and at other times and locations on campus. The donation drive is being coordinated by the Wesleyan Seminar class taught by Dr. Susan Erue and Prof. Denise Nebel.
