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On Veterans Day, Recognizing Those Among Us Who Have Served

Campus commemoration to be held Monday, Nov. 12

Veterans Day graphic
More than 1,000 members of the current Duke community are military veterans.

Military veterans represent a significant, but not always visible, segment of the Duke community. That experience benefits the university in the classroom and in the workplace. On Veterans Day, the university shines a light on veterans’ service, both to Duke and to the nation.

More than 1,000 current members of the community identify as military veterans, and they can be found across the university and the health system. Administrators are working with veterans to build a network of community and services for Duke's veteran population. Says Anna Page, a second lieutenant in the Army Reserves now studying in the Divinity School, “This community is integral to Duke as military affiliated students are leaders across the campus.”

“Exposure to so many aspects of the Navy made me confident that I can handle anything,” said Brigit Carter, associate dean of the School of Nursing. “I can certainly say that I wouldn’t be as understanding of how to make transitions and take on new challenges without the experiences provided by the service and wisdom from mentors.”

To know more about Veterans Day and the community of veterans and military-affiliated community at Duke, here are five items:

  • On Monday, the Duke community will gather outside of Duke Chapel for the university’s annual Veterans Day commemoration. Dan Bruno, chief operating officer of Duke Health Technology Solutions, will deliver keynote remarks. Read more.Duke Army ROTC students train in Duke Forest. Photo by Jared Lazarus
  • There are more than 700 employees who served in the military. Nearly 30 percent of them are women. Read some of their stories reflecting on their military service.
  • In addition to the university commemoration, Duke units are sponsoring several events related to honoring and supporting veterans during Veterans Day week. List of events.
  • Recent Duke graduate Amy Kramer says there’s something special about doing push-ups in the rain with her fellow student ROTC cadets. She describes a day in the life of a cadet, juggling training with academic life. 
  • Want to know more about the programs in which Duke contributes to this nation’s security and supports military veterans? Visit the Duke Today “Duke for America” series.