Honor Veterans at Duke's November 11 Ceremony

Duke Military Association affinity group creates community for military veterans

Color guard in Duke Chapel.
Duke's annual Veterans Day ceremony at Duke University Chapel provides the community a chance to honor those who served in the United States Armed Forces. Photo courtesy of University Marketing & Communications.

James Nesbitt has worked at Duke for the better part of three decades, but it wasn’t until this year, when he attended his first event with the Duke Military Association, that Nesbitt found a valuable network of kindred spirits.

Nesbitt, 58, served in the Marine Corps as a Corporal in the 1980s. This summer, after receiving an email about the Duke Military Association’s monthly after-work get-togethers at Kickback Jack’s, a restaurant a few minutes from Duke’s campus, he dropped by. He’s been an enthusiastic part of the affinity group ever since.

“The camaraderie is amazing,” said Nesbitt, a Senior Network Engineer with the Duke Office of Information Technology. “I’ve found my people.”

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On Monday, Nov. 11, Duke will honor the service of all U.S. military veterans during the annual Veterans Day Ceremony sponsored by Duke Human Resources in Duke University Chapel. The university community is home to 2,304 staff and faculty who identify as veterans, and roughly 700 students with military affiliations.

The public event, beginning at 11 a.m., will feature guest speaker John Dailey, Duke Chief of Police and Associate Vice President for Public Safety, who served as a captain in the United States Army for six years. The ceremony will feature music from the John Brown Ensemble and remarks from Duke University President Vincent E. Price, Vice President for Duke Human Resources Antwan Lofton, Duke University Chapel Dean and Professor of Homiletics and African and African American Studies Luke A. Powery.

A wreath-laying ceremony will follow at the memorial for Duke’s veterans located next to Duke University Chapel. A livestream of the event, as well as a recording of it afterward, will be available here.

The Duke Military Association routinely leads donation drives for veterans and members of the community in need. Photo courtesy of the Duke Military Association.

For members of the Duke Military Association, Duke’s Veterans Day ceremony is a valuable opportunity to gather and reflect on their service.

Formed in 2018 as an affinity group for Duke University Health System employees, the Duke Military Association has grown into a resource for the entire Duke workforce, which includes 2,304 members who identify as military veterans. Throughout the year, the group hosts virtual and in-person events where participants can build skills, help the community or have fun.

This year, the association held Zoom presentations on topics such as building resumés, led food drives for veterans, participated in a 5K, hosted a tailgate for the Duke Football Employee Kickoff game, and organized outings to watch the Durham Bulls and paint a traveling mural.

Members of the Duke Military Association are able to create connections with fellow veterans from across Duke during fun regular outings. Photo courtesy of the Duke Military Association.

At the association’s recent monthly gathering at Kickback Jack’s, members caught up with one another around a patio table. Conversation included stories of military service, insights about thriving at Duke, and helpful advice on hobbies ranging from duck hunting to gardening.

The connections formed at these get-togethers carry value even after members part ways.  It’s not uncommon for Duke Military Association members to reach out to one another for help with work situations or to talk though personal challenges.

Kurt Voss, a Duke Eye Center Service Access Manager who served in the Marine Corps as a Master Sergeant from 1990 to 2011, said that, regardless of when they served, or what branch they served with, all veterans share a respect and understanding of the experiences that shaped their paths.

“There’s a real sense of loyalty and trust that we have with each other,” Voss said. “We’re all on the same team, so we can rely on each other. If somebody needs help in any area, we’re there.”

The Duke Military Association is open to all Duke University and Duke University Health System employees. You can sign up for the Duke Military Association’s mailing list here.

Recognize colleagues who have served or are serving in the U. S. Armed Forces with a special Veterans Day message on our Making a Difference blog. Submit your message.

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