UCF has a long history of welcoming and supporting student veterans — including more than 1,400 who are currently enrolled — and partnering with all branches of the military as well as the defense industry.

The The Office of Military and Veteran Student Success’s ��goal is always to make veterans’ transition to civilian and academic life as smooth as possible.

The has been serving a growing student veteran population since 2011.��The resource center offers support and a sense of community to students, faculty and staff veterans on campus. Students use the space for studying and homework, and it’s also where they receive guidance on the use and benefits of the GI Bill.��

UCF has received the Purple Heart ����ֱ�� designation from the Military Order of the Purple Heart. The designation reflects a commitment to help student veterans succeed from enrollment to employment, recognition of student veterans on campus, efforts to preserve the stories of military veterans and the innovative aid rendered to veterans through .

UCF has also been recognized as a top 10 best online bachelor’s program for veterans by U.S. News & World Report; one of the Best Colleges for Veterans by College Factual; and “Military Friendly” by Military Friendly Schools.

Fueling the Talent Pipeline

Students looking to pursue careers in defense will find an ideal home at UCF. They learn from world-class faculty members and benefit from UCF’s strong connections with industry partners as well as our location in Orlando, which is a hub for leading employers in modeling, simulation and training; optics and photonics; and engineering.

For nearly a decade, Aviation Week Network has ranked UCF as the top supplier of graduates to the aerospace and defense industries. UCF also ranks as the industry’s second-most preferred supplier, behind Georgia Tech.

Nationwide, Lockheed Martin employs more UCF graduates than alumni of any other university.

Locally, 27% of Lockheed Martin employees in Orlando are UCF graduates, as are 20% of Siemens employees.

This year, UCF signed a partnership agreement with the new U.S. Space Force to help the agency develop technology and an agile workforce. UCF also partners with the National Security Innovation Network to give students real-world experiences solving problems related to U.S. national security challenges.

With its strong computer science and engineering programs, UCF fields many of the best student cyber defense teams in the nation, with frequent victories in collegiate competitions sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the National Security Agency and others. Last month, teams from UCF took first and second place in the CyberForce Competition, led by the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory.

Strengthening National Security

In Central Florida Research Park adjacent to campus, UCF scientists are collaborating with researchers from the U.S. Navy, Army, Air Force and Marine Corps to protect and prepare military personnel and to help them work effectively in teams.

The U.S. Department of Defense awarded UCF $21.55 million in 2021-22 for research projects, the second-highest funding source after the U.S. National Science Foundation.

The largest portions of that involve and engineering and computer science.

also has worked with military partners on developing simulation platforms for nearly 30 years. Some of the research projects designed to help keep military personnel well trained and ready focus on strengthening technology, while others are related to helping teams work more effectively together. Partners include the Army, Navy, Air Force and Defense Health Agency, among many others.

Innovative Treatments Help Those with PTSD Regain Their Lives

Over the past decade, has provided treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to active-duty military, first responders and other survivors of trauma, helping to change the way PTSD is understood, diagnosed and treated. The American Psychiatric Association estimates that one in 11 people will be diagnosed with PTSD in their lifetime.

UCF RESTORES has helped more than 1,400 veterans and active-duty military personnel, first responders, survivors of mass casualty events and sexual assault, and others regain their lives with innovative treatments.

UCF RESTORES’ unique approach to treatment — combining exposure therapy, emerging technology, as well as individual and group therapy sessions — has resulted in 76% of participants no longer meeting the diagnostic criteria for PTSD following three weeks of intensive treatment. The program’s virtual reality treatments include scenarios designed to look like foreign war zones, and they also include realistic smells such as gasoline and gunfire.

Funding for UCF RESTORES has included $19 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Defense and support provided by the Florida Legislature. Most of the services provided at UCF to veterans and military personnel are free to participants, including hotel rooms for those traveling from out of town.

UCF RESTORES also treats active-duty military personnel at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Virginia, and Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia.

Caring for Veterans

— an experience they say helps them better understand and appreciate the sacrifices of our nation’s heroes.

During their third-year clerkships and fourth-year electives, medical students receive training in specialties including surgery, internal medicine, neurology and psychiatry at the Orlando VA Medical Center next door to the College of Medicine in Lake Nona and Bay Pines VA Healthcare system in St. Petersburg, Florida.

“It was a really humbling experience serving men and women vets with such interesting stories, and to be able to give back to those who have done so much for our country,” says Gary Saloman, a third-year UCF medical student.

The Orlando VA Medical Center opened in 2015 and is one of the nation’s largest VA hospitals, serving the region’s 400,000 veterans.

It also houses the VA’s state-of-the-art SimLEARN National Simulation Center, where physicians can train using simulated robotic patients.

Students say they are particularly struck by how willing veterans are to share their medical and life experiences to help the learners become better physicians. Andrew Taitano, a surgeon at the Orlando VA and associate professor of surgery at the , says he isn’t surprised.

“It speaks to the character of the veterans,” Taitano says. “They are happy to be getting care and want to help students learn to help others in the future.”

Collecting Veterans’ Stories

Launched in the fall of 2010, the honors American war veterans by giving them the opportunity to share their stories so that future generations will better understand the realities of conflict. The project, which is ran by , collects, preserves and makes to the public the experiences of Central Florida’s veterans before they are forgotten.

The project, which is comprised of students majoring in history and student veterans, is a collaborative endeavor led by Barbara Gannon, an associate professor of history, who is a veteran herself. She has trained and worked with students to conduct interviews with veterans for more than a decade. More than 700 veterans have been interviewed to date, with some now housed in the Library of Congress.

If you are a veteran living in Central Florida and would like to be interviewed about your time in the military, call 407-823-0242 or .

Preparing the Next Generation of Military Leaders

The UCF campus is home to two Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs that train students to become commissioned officers in the U.S. Armed Forces.

This year, marked 50 years of partnership with UCF.

Roughly 170 cadets are currently enrolled in the officer commissioning program, led by nine active-duty cadre members. An estimated 1,500 UCF graduates have become lieutenants in the Air Force and Space Force through this Air Force-UCF program.

The was established on the university campus in 1986. There are 160 cadets currently enrolled, and roughly 850 officers have been commissioned since the program’s inception.

“Veterans Month at UCF honors Americans … and their contribution to the nation during their service and afterward,” says Barbara Gannon, associate professor of history and the driving force of Veterans Month at UCF for over a decade. “I think it is particularly important to honor veterans because they remind us that Americans can do great things when they work together and set aside their differences. Veterans did this, and so can we.”

Throughout the month, UCF Knights will have the opportunity to learn veteran stories, connect with other veteran students and alumni, and celebrate new veterans’ projects at the university. Below is the list of Veterans Month events coordinated by the and the in partnership with units across the university.

Sunday, Nov. 6 – Thursday, Nov. 10: UCF Student Veterans Flag Week

The Military and Veteran Student Success Center, with the assistance of Army and Air Force ROTC, will plant over 1,400 American Flags in Memory Mall throughout the week of Nov. 7. The flags represent the number of student veterans attending UCF for the Fall 2022 semester. Students can to help plant flags in Memory Mall throughout the week.

Wednesday, Nov. 9: Veterans Salute & Purple Heart Proclamation, Honors Veterans Wounded in Battle

At Memory Mall between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., the Veterans History Project (VHP) in collaboration with the Air Force and Army ROTC and the will host a salute to veterans in honor of Veterans Day.

The event will include the raising of the American flag, playing of taps and Purple Heart Proclamation with commentary about UCF’s designation as a Purple Heart ����ֱ��. The designation signifies the university’s recognition and honor of veterans wounded in combat while serving their country who are now pursuing higher education and careers at UCF.

Tuesday, Nov. 15: Veterans History Project Story Day – Emergency Service Veterans

The UCF Community Veterans History Project (VHP) collects, preserves and makes accessible to the public the experiences of Central Florida’s veterans. The histories collected by the VHP are archived and made digitally available through the UCF Libraries. The project also contributes selected veterans’ histories to the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress.

Throughout the month of November, the VHP will host two “Story Days.” During each story day VHP team members will meet with veterans to collect, preserve and honor the stories of Florida’s veterans. The second story day will happen via Zoom and focus on collecting stories from veterans currently working in emergency services. Students can email history@ucf.edu for more information.

Gannon, a veteran herself, is the principal investigator of the VHP. For over a decade, Gannon has worked with students to preserve these oral histories.

“The VHP records veterans’ stories all year. We believe every day is Veterans Day,” Gannon says.

Wednesday, Nov. 16: Florida France Soldiers Stories

The John C. Hitt Library, room 402 will host a panel discussion and workshop from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. with panelists Amelia Lyons, Elizabeth Klements, Marie Oury, Diana Dizon and Evan Murray, along with UCF research librarians Richard Harrison and Rich Gause.

The seeks to tell the stories of the Florida soldiers buried in the American Battle Monuments Commission cemeteries in France. The goal of the project is to honor and commemorate the brave individuals who gave their lives supporting the Allied forces, liberating France and defeating Germany in the Second World War. The project also teaches students participating in this research project about the history of France and Florida during World War II, the history of individual servicemen and how to implement historical research methods in their work.

Wednesday, Nov. 30: Veteran Knights’ Roundtable – Conversation with UCF Alumni Veterans

The history department will be sponsoring a conversation between alumni veterans at 6 p.m. via . They’ll discuss transitioning from military personnel to student veteran, their experiences at UCF, and how a UCF education and their military experience got them to where they are now.

Jim Stoddard ’14 ’20MA is a current doctoral student and moderator of the event. A veteran himself, he’s experienced firsthand the support UCF gives to its veteran students.

“We have a large student veteran population on campus,” Stoddard says. “I think that comes with being among the largest student population campuses in the country, but I don’t think that’s the only reason we have a lot of vets on campus. In my experience, and people with similar backgrounds to myself, the faculty are very helpful and considerate.”

While these events are held in recognition of , UCF supports its nearly 1,400 student veterans year-round.

Recently, the UCF Veterans Legacy Program (VLP), a partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration (NCA), received a new grant this year to help Florida schools teach students about veteran histories.

Building on work from 2017 through 2019, UCF’s new VLP grant will work with teachers at Florida K-12 schools to create veteran-focused classroom projects at a 10-day workshop held at the headquarters for the Florida National Guard, located in the historic St. Francis Barracks and the adjacent St. Augustine National Cemetery.

“We are so pleased to partner with the Florida National Guard to be able to connect younger students around the state with veterans’ stories through their local NCA cemetery,” says Associate Professor of History Amelia Lyons, principal investigator for the project.

Researchers and community partners who developed the project will celebrate and launch the new grant at an event with guests from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration (NCA).

Earlier this year, UCF earned a Silver Award on the 2022-23 Military Friendly Schools list, an organization that measures commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military population. UCF also offers a range of scholarships and resources available for veteran students, including the Office of Military and Veteran Student Success and UCF RESTORES, a nonprofit clinical research center and treatment clinic.

“Celebrating Veterans Month activities at UCF is another aspect of creating [an environment] of innovation and [belonging],” says Mike Kepner, army veteran and director of the Office of Military and Veteran Student Success.

This year marks 80 years since the attack on Pearl Harbor, making it more important than ever to document the stories and experiences of Pearl Harbor survivors and World War II veterans. The (VHP), housed in the Department of History, is harnessing the power of digital preservation to do just that.

Since 2015, students taking military history courses have worked to preserve the history of one such veteran, the late Capt. Richard S. Roberts, through oral history interviews. Roberts served in the U.S. Navy for 24 years, earning a reputation as a legendary pilot and leader in peace and war. Previously stationed at Pearl Harbor, he was on duty in Cavite, Philippines, during the attack and flew patrol missions in its immediate aftermath.

“That was all-day flying,” Roberts said in one of his oral history interviews. “We took off before daylight and landed after dark.”

Brandon Kirk, a senior history student, completed a total of six oral history interviews with Roberts.

“After my second interview, he told me — a 22-year-old college student — that the interview was like talking with his old Navy buddies,” Kirk says. “While this perhaps shows the power of preparation, what it really revealed was how distinctly important it is for us to speak with veterans and how a willingness to communicate with others can create a wealth of information and add scope to our lives.”

Roberts died peacefully on Aug. 13, 2021 at the age of 107. But thanks to the hard work of history students and the VHP, his legacy will live on through digital preservation, which launched in October of this year. Using the information gained from these oral history interviews, was created to further preserve Roberts’ memories of service. Diana Dizon, a history student and research assistant for the VHP, was instrumental in creating this digital StoryMap documenting his life.

“It has been a pleasure bringing his story to life,” Dizon says. “I hope that everyone will have the chance to know Roberts through our interactive story map, which tells of his accomplishments and grand career with the United States Navy.”

During his time in the military, Roberts earned nine campaign ribbons and the bronze star with “V” for valor in combat. Following World War II, he became an accomplished helicopter pilot and helped develop engineering and safety doctrine, much of which is still in use today.

Over the course of his oral history interviews, Roberts recalled his time aboard the USS San Jacinto in the South Pacific during World War II. He reflected on the ever-changing responsibilities that came with serving aboard a ship, and even shared a story of the fleet experiencing a typhoon off the coast of Taiwan that nearly resulted in the ship capsizing.

“Captain Roberts was a true icon; I do not take the time I had with him lightly,” says Kirk. “Interviewing him was the first time history books really came to life for me. It is veteran testimonies such as [Captain Roberts’] that define the purpose of what it means to speak with veterans,” Kirk says. “They are underrepresented, yet they represent the best of us.”

.

Barbara Gannon, associate professor of history and coordinator of the , has been involved with the Supply Vault for Student Veteran Success since the project’s inception.

“Our vision is to use this vault as a way of welcoming veterans to the UCF community,” says Gannon. “Veterans’ homecomings can be difficult, but we want to use this to ease their transition to UCF and higher education.”

The vault offers a collection of school supplies selected by student veterans for student veterans, including noise-canceling headphones, wireless keyboards, voice recorders, blue light glasses, smart notebooks and external hard drives. These items are provided to student veterans at no cost.

“We also want to introduce them to the UCF Community Veterans History Project,” Gannon says. “We want them to know that we value them and their stories. The supply vault is also a tangible way of letting them know of our gratitude for their service.”

Fundraising for the vault came from the 2019 macramé Yellow Ribbon Project. In partnership with the Central Florida Yellow Ribbon Project and local artist Victoria Walsh, UCF students, faculty, staff and community members macraméd trees lining Memory Mall. Twenty-eight of the 30 trees were sponsored by colleges, departments and organizations, including the College of Arts and Humanities.

For history student Michael Richardson, the vault holds a personal significance. As a U.S. Navy veteran, he’s closely familiar with the struggle of returning to civilian life following military service, not to mention the difficulty of adjusting to life as a full-time student.

“The adjustment from service really was a nightmare,” Richardson says. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do — going to classes. I would literally drive all the way and sit in my car, but I wasn’t able to go in. I dropped out of school for about three years.”

With the help of therapy and getting involved with the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, Richardson was able to return to his studies and found a passion for history. At UCF, Gannon recommended he get involved with the Veterans History Project. , he became a research assistant with the project and was instrumental in the planning and execution of the vault.

“I started doing research, and I started looking at all the stuff around me that I had been using,” says Richardson. “And I’m like, ‘OK, these are the tools that have made me successful as a student; things that I’ve had to kind of piece together for myself for the last six years.’”

Richardson’s experience as both a veteran and UCF student gave him a unique perspective when planning and procuring items for the vault. Having experienced the difficulties of reacclimating to civilian and student life himself, he understands how simple items such as noise-cancelling headphones and voice recorder pens can make a huge difference in the day-to-day life of student veterans.

“There are so many triggers that a lot of [student veterans] won’t even know they have,” he says. “If I can help them avoid even one stressor in their day — helping them to get over those hurdles will help them be better Knights.”

This year’s recipients are Rachael Rothstein-Safra ’17, a history major and staff member for the UCF Community Veterans History Project; Karla Aurazo, a political science and international relations double major; and Caleb Archie, an international and global studies major. All three worked with the Burnett Honors College and the Office of Prestigious Awards to apply for the fellowships.

Boren Fellowships��provide funding up to $24,000 for immersive study of the language and culture of countries deemed critical to U.S. national security. In return, Fellows agree to complete a service requirement with the federal government. An initiative of the National Security Education Program, Boren Awards funds a broad spectrum of study that encompasses global challenges such as environmental and sustainability measures, economic practices, and even historical-culture analysis.

A Historical Approach to Political Rhetoric in Beijing

Rothstein-Safra used her undergraduate thesis as a jumping-off point for her Boren application. Her thesis was on medieval Chinese literature, and she is looking forward to honing her research skills and studying intensive Mandarin for a year at Tsinghua ����ֱ�� in Beijing, China.

“As a historian, it is essential to understand the nuances of a language … so that you may then understand the society,” Rothstein-Safra says.

History is not a common field of study for a Boren recipient, but Rothstein-Safra explains the ties between historical analysis and national security by stressing the importance of studying historic political trends. “A lot of the current political rhetoric of the Communist Party of China draws on historical Chinese ideas and phrases,” Rothstein-Safra says. “It is key to understanding how they portray themselves to their people and the global arena.”

A self-described nontraditional student, Rothstein-Safra took a different path to UCF. Dropping out of high school in 11^{�ٳ���}grade, she attended Seminole State College before transferring to UCF. At Tsinghua ����ֱ��, she will design her own program of study, and credits working with the Burnett Honors College, the Office of Prestigious Awards, and her mentors in the history department for helping her to become a Boren Fellow.

Upon returning next summer, Rothstein-Safra plans to pursue a master’s degree in history at UCF.

Studying Russian in Kazakhstan

Currently a Francis Bok Human Trafficking Awareness Fellow for UCF Global Perspectives, senior Aurazo channeled her knowledge about human trafficking and the issue of language barriers into a desire to learn Russian through a Boren Fellowship. As UCF’s first student to study abroad in Kazakhstan, Aurazo custom-tailored a program for her studies at Kimep ����ֱ�� in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Aurazo describes the country as a sociological and geographic portal between Russia and China, causing it to be of great interest to the United States.

“Given that Kazakhstan is rich in resources and that they have been an ally in combatting terrorism,” says Aurazo, “I think we should continue working towards consistent cooperation with them.”

In the future, Aurazo aspires to work as a U.S. foreign officer. “I believe in … serving with my neighbor, and I find joy in doing so,” she says. “I believe in building bridges, not walls, across cultures and beliefs.”

Learning Mandarin in Chengdu, China

Archie will explore the developing financial hub of Chengdu, China. He chose Chengdu, a city more than 1,000 miles west of Shanghai in the Sichuan province, because he wanted to study in a place where English is not a common secondary language, as that would motivate him to learn through cultural immersion.

Archie’s interest in China developed last summer during an internship with the U.S. Department of Energy where he explored nuclear cooperation with global partners. At Chengdu ����ֱ��, Archie plans to study advanced Mandarin, modern politics and Chinese governmental relations.

In the future, Archie also plans to work as a U.S. foreign officer and is grateful for the opportunities that a Boren Fellowship offers.

“It’s not just wanting to have American influence and regional security in a country, but it is about helping those people, by supporting them and their culture,” Archie says.

If you are a student participating in or applying to a graduate degree program in the U.S. and are interested in applying for a Boren Fellowship, please contact the Office of Prestigious Awards at��opa@ucf.edu.

UCF is ranked one of the best universities in the nation for veterans��by offering support services��along their journey toward graduation and has been ranked as “military��friendly” by G.I. Jobs magazine.

Highlights for the month include:

Monday, Nov. 2:

Tuesday, Nov. 3:

The UCF History Department’s Community Veterans History Project is hosting Student Veteran History Day. Pre-registered student veterans will share their military experiences throughout the day. The oral history interviews will be recorded, digitally preserved in the UCF Library Special Collection and some may also be archived in the Library of Congress. The interviews will take place in Colbourn Hall, Room 401. For more information contact, 407-823-0242.

Wednesday, Nov. 4:

The screening will be 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Orlando Science Center, 777 E. Princeton St., Orlando. Visit wucftv.org/veterans for more information and to register.

Thursday, Nov. 5:

Friday, Nov. 6

Monday, Nov. 9

Tuesday, Nov. 10

Saturday, Nov. 14

The parade will start at the corner of Orange Avenue and Robinson Street in downtown Orlando at 11 a.m. For parking details and more information visit: http://www.cityoforlando.net/veteransparade/.

Monday, Nov. 16

Back for its eighth season, Light Up UCF “50 Nights of Music, Lights and Ice” provides Central Florida families and residents with an affordable place to celebrate the holidays. Light Up UCF has become a holiday tradition, offering an 8,000-square-foot outdoor ice skating rink, rides, and holiday attractions. UCF Student Veterans are invited to attend on Military Appreciation Night from 5 to 10 p.m. For more information contact, Joshua.Johnson@ucf.edu or call 407-823-5874.

Thursday, Nov. 19:

To take advantage of this special offer: Visit GovX.com; click on `tickets’ on the top banner; search UCF Football; select your seats. GovX members will receive a complimentary ticket. Additional tickets (maximum of four) will be available at $20. As a bonus, this offer will extend to the game on Thursday, Nov. 26 when UCF hosts USF. (Signing up for the USF offer will available in the coming days).

The Orlando Naval Training Center, which was in operation 1968-94, was where the Baldwin Park neighborhood now sits. The Navy League of the United States – Central Florida Council is raising money to create the patriotic memorial in the neighborhood’s Bluejacket Park.

The remembrance will include a Lone Sailor statue and a 20-foot heritage wall exhibiting the history of the Navy in Central Florida. The group is raising funds now and hopes to construct and dedicate the memorial by early next year.

Students of associate professor Rosalind Beiler, director of public history, and military history assistant professor Barbara Gannon earlier this year researched the project and presented the findings to the council, which had asked for help in creating the heritage wall.

Mark Barnes, a graduate student who also made a presentation about the research at an intern showcase this summer at UCF’s Public History Center in Sanford, said he was honored to be part of the project that will recognize those who trained at the base and went on to serve our country. This would be the ninth Lone Sailor Memorial Park in the nation, he said.

“This will be a physical exhibit that I can go to and say that I did something that was a big part of this,” Barnes said.

The UCF part of the project is still in progress. The oral histories are being contributed to the UCF Community Veterans History Project and, as appropriate, to the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project. Permissions are being sought to use images, and the photos are being uploaded to the UCF online RICHES Mosaic Interface.

“My students learned a great deal in the process of working with community partners on a ‘real-world’ project,” said Beiler. “And the committee seemed quite pleased with the outcome.”

The memorial will serve as a reminder of the Navy’s legacy in Orlando, and an inspiration to those currently serving and who will serve in the Navy.

“We could not have been more impressed with UCF’s dedication on this,” said Andy Mohler, co-chair of the Lone Sailor Navy Memorial Committee. “So much talent and passion. That’s what really came out.

“This will forever embody the history of the Navy in Orlando. It’s not just an academic exercise that will gather dust on a shelf.”

UCF offers many programs, services and support opportunities for veterans. The UCF community – including faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members – are invited to help honor those who have served our country.

Several university departments, community groups and organizations are hosting the events:

Friday, Nov. 8:

A veterans commemoration ceremony will be held at noon at the UCF��Veterans Commemorative Site on Memory Mall. The ceremony will feature the UCF Brass Quintet and the Air Force ROTC Color Guard.

The Veterans Academic Resource Center will honor service members with a flag display on Memory Mall.

Saturday, Nov. 9:

Knights for Veterans will participate in the City of Orlando Veterans Day Parade. Knights for Veterans is made up of the UCF Air Force ROTC and UCF Community Veterans History Project.

UCF’s Military Appreciation Game against Houston, presented by Lowe’s Home Improvement & SunTrust Bank, will get under way at 7 p.m. There will be a flyover before kickoff with a 1962 Vietnam era Douglas A-4C Skyhawk, piloted by Dave Dollarhide of the A-4 Skyhawk Association during the national anthem. Also, there will be “I Served” stickers, lapel pins and 20,000 small American flags given out. Visitors will be able to see various military vehicles parked outside the stadium and write a thank you note to be distributed to military personnel around the world. The Marching Knights will have a special halftime performance.

All active duty, reserve and retired military personnel with valid ID receive complimentary admission.

Tuesday, Nov. 12:����

The Veterans Academic Research Center and Orlando VA’s VITAL program will host a Veterans Resource Fair during Market Day at the UCF Student Union. Information from community programs and campus-based services will be available.

Wednesday, Nov. 13:

UCF Film and Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society, UCF chapter, will host a movie night in which two military-themed films will be featured. The documentary, Jesse Leroy Brown: First African American Navy Fighter Pilot will be shown at 6:30 p.m. and Steel Helmet will be shown at 7:30 p.m. in the Nicholson School of Communication, Room 145.

The UCF Community Veterans History Project is partnering with Lockheed Martin Corp. to host Veterans History Day on Nov. 13-14. UCF students will conduct oral history interviews with Lockheed Martin employees who served in the military. The UCF Community Veterans History Project is collecting, preserving, and making accessible to the public the experiences of Central Florida’s veterans so that future generations will better understand the realities of conflict.

Friday, Nov. 15:

The Veterans Academic Resource Center invites veterans and their families to a cookout from noon to 2 p.m. at the CFE Arena picnic area.

The psychology department will host a Veterans Research Symposium from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in Room 0106 of the Psychology Building. Presentations will be made by:

The Veterans Academic Resource Center and the Orlando VA’s VITAL program will provide the S.A.F.E. training program for UCF’s staff and faculty from 1 to 4 p.m. in Room 111 of the Psychology Building. The S.A.F.E. training was created to help educate UCF faculty and staff about specific Student Veteran challenges.�� The S.A.F.E. training will focus on military culture, student veteran challenges, how to work with and help student veterans , and resources for Student Veterans.

Space is limited. Reservations can be made by contacting Dr. Bryan Batien at Bryan.Batien@va.gov.

Saturday, Nov. 16:

The week will conclude with a Ruck Sack March hosted at Memory Mall by the Camaraderie Foundation. Participants can choose to walk/run for fun or compete for prizes by carrying at least 35 pounds in their ruck or backpack. Course options include a 3-, 6-, and 12-mile route.

Prizes will be awarded to the top finisher for each route option, including round-trip airfare for two from Southwest Airlines for the first-place, 12-mile winner.

Registration is open for the march and interested participants should register online at .

As a way to honor all veterans during Veterans Day in the month of November, the UCF Veterans Academic Resource Center (VARC) created a special video and placed it on “You Tube”: . In addition, the center has several events and announcements during UCF’s Week of Honor and Remembrance including the UCF Community Veterans History Project and Veteran Services Extravaganza.

The Week of Honor and Remembrance will recognize and honor veterans as well as educate the UCF community. Veteran Services and many UCF colleges and offices partnered to present various event and tributes during the week of November7-12:

Nov. 1-30: All month long, the UCF Library will have on display, “The Florida Fallen Hero Quilt Project.”

��UCF Community Veterans History Project:
The UCF Community Veterans History Project is collecting, preserving, and making accessible to the public the experiences of Central Florida’s veterans so that future generations will better understand the realities of conflict. It is a collaborative endeavor supported by multiple departments and offices at UCF. The histories, which students began recording during the fall 2010 semester, are archived and made digitally available through the UCF library. For more information, visit: www.riches.cah.ucf.edu/veterans.

Veteran Services Extravaganza
The Veteran Services Extravaganza, an information event for veteran students, will be held on November 9 at 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Ferrell Common Auditorium. The event will feature speakers from OEF/OIF/New Dawn and Florida Department of Veteran Affairs and have representatives from:

UCF Veterans Academic Resource Center: VARC is veterans’ one-stop solution to their needs as a student veteran. The center�� provides offices, study space and lounge space, as well as access to a number of university offices, in one central location. For more information, visit: .