Join Duke in Honoring Service Members at its Veterans Day Ceremony Nov. 11

Recognize the roughly 2,200 employees and 450 students at Duke who are military veterans

flags at a ceremony
A joint color guard from Duke's ROTC units presents the colors at last year's Veterans Day ceremony. Photo by Travis Stanley.

The Duke community will honor all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces at its annual Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m., Nov. 11, at Duke University Chapel.

The ceremony, which is hosted by Duke Human Resources, will feature a presentation of the colors by a joint color guard from Duke’s ROTC units, the national anthem sung by the Duke University Chorale and remarks by Duke University President Vincent E. Price, Duke Vice President of Human Resources Antwan Lofton and Duke University Chapel Dean Luke A. Powery.

Maj. Ryan Allen of the United States Air Force will serve as the guest speaker and the event will close with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Memorial Garden next to Duke University Chapel.

Honor a Veteran Colleague

Capt. Michael Linton was recognized by a Duke Raleigh Hospital coworker for his dedication. Read more about him and learn how to honor a veteran with our Making a Difference blog.

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“It’s important for the university and health system to pause and recognize all of those individuals who have served, and those who lost their lives in service to our country,” Lofton said. “We are very thankful for the work that they have done and everything that they continue to give to our country and to Duke.”

The event will be livestreamed on the Working@Duke YouTube page.

Across Duke, approximately 2,200 employees and 450 students identify as military veterans.

After nearly two decades with Duke University Police, Capt. Michael Linton, who served three years in the United States Army and 23 more in the Army Reserves has learned to recognize certain traits that hint a colleague may have a military background such as a turn of phrase, a sense of camaraderie or a quick wit.

Beyond those surface clues, he said, there’s a deeper quality that many veterans at Duke share.

“The majority of folks that I run into have some form of leadership involved in what they do,” Linton said. “These are people who don’t mind stepping up and taking charge when things need to be done. They’re willing to teach people and help them along. They don’t just come to work to do their job, they want to bring everybody up.”

On Veterans Day, when the wider community has the chance to show its gratitude, Linton said, veterans like himself feel an immense amount of pride.

“It’s a proud moment because it brings back memories, it brings a smile to your face, it really does,” Linton said. “For the people who served, there’s a common bond, regardless of what you do, you have that military bond. We’re all brothers and sisters in that way.”

Watch the 2025 Veterans Day ceremony live here.

Do work with a military veteran who deserves recognition for their hard work and commitment to Duke's values? Celebrate them on our Making a Difference blog. Submit your post here.

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