UF Veterans Memorial dedication ceremony to be held April 30

April 23, 2009

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida and UF Collegiate Veterans Society will host a dedication ceremony at 3 p.m. April 30 at the Reitz Student Union Amphitheatre for the UF Veterans Memorial, which was constructed in December.

The UF Veterans Memorial consists of a fountain in Green Pond, two flag poles, each with two flags, and six stones, one commemorative stone and five representing each of the five military branches. The UF Veterans Memorial was erected to honor fallen UF veterans and Gators of the five Armed Services who served their country.

The ceremony will include a keynote speaker, retired Army Gen. James T. Hill, a recipient of three Silver Stars, and UF President Bernie Machen. The ceremony is expected to include a flyover and 21-gun salute. The event is free and open to the public. Appropriate dress is preferred.

“The University of Florida and UF Collegiate Veterans Society is happy to present the newly constructed UF Veterans Memorial commemorating fallen Gator veterans, who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and UF veterans who have served their country,” said Justin Levine, UF Collegiate Veterans Society president. “The amount of donated time, effort and funds by generous parties made this project possible. The dedication will be the capstone of much hard work.”

“We hope that in time the Memorial will help raise awareness of the veteran presence on campus as well as the contributions that our Gators Veterans have made to both the Gator Nation and the United States of America,” Levine said.

For more information, please contact Myra Morgan at 352-392-165 or myram@ufl.edu.