Elon University's Veterans Day Observance – Nov. 11

An annual campus program in the LaRose Digital Theatre will pay tribute to the men and women who served in uniform for the United States of America.

A Veterans Day Observance in the LaRose Digital Theatre will recognize the sacrifices and service of military veterans who work at Elon University, or who are relatives or friends of students and employees. 

Wednesday, November 11, 2015
10:45-11:30 a.m.
LaRose Digital Theatre (Koury Business Center)

For more information, contact Professor Matt Valle, the university’s Martha and Spencer Love Term Professor, at mvalle@elon.edu 

The program will feature a welcome, an invocation, a moment of silence, remarks by special guest Dr. Michael W. Brennan, and a roll call for both current Elon employees and for relatives of those in attendance. A special video salute also is planned.

Roll call instructions for veterans: When the moderator asks for veterans in the audience to stand, please stand and when called upon, state your name and branch of service. Additionally, organizers would like to include a picture of you (preferably in uniform) for an entry/exit slide show. If you have not provided us with a picture in the past, please send a picture in .jpg format to mvalle@elon.edu. If you sent in pictures for last year’s observance, organizers will use the same pictures unless otherwise instructed.

Roll call instructions for family & friends: Organizers would like to personally recognize your veteran or active duty family member/friend during the roll call portion of the program. Please be ready to tell the audience the individual’s name and branch of service (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine.)

About guest speaker Dr. Michael W. Brennan

A comprehensive ophthalmologist in Burlington, NC, Brennan serves as past president and international envoy of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1966 and later received a Masters in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University. Brennan served as an Army aviator in Vietnam, an instructor at West Point and was a finalist in the NASA space shuttle selection process.

Brennan later received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Texas in 1978 and completed his residency in ophthalmology at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He served as chief of surgery at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, until retirement from military service in 1986.

Brennan enjoyed a comprehensive ophthalmology practice at the Alamance Eye Center for almost 30 years. He served as president of both the NC Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Brennan is a member of the Irish College of Ophthalmology and the Iraqi Ophthalmology Society. He has developed leadership programs with multiple national and multi-national organizations and has sought to engage the Next Generation in positions of opportunity and responsibility for the profession. He also directs multi-specialty, volunteer physicians who deliver face-to-face Continuing Professional Development with international colleagues in conflicted Middle East environments.

Brennan and his wife Helen enjoy personal and professional acquaintances at home and around the globe. They are often joined by their children and eight grandchildren.