PFW Celebrating Military Appreciation Day on Thursday

Purdue University Fort Wayne’s annual Military Appreciation Day will be Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Science Mall.

The event will hopefully include a flyover from the 122nd Fighter Wing of the Indiana Air National Guard featuring two F-16s at approximately 11:11 a.m., weather permitting. The flyover is also subject to guidance from the wing. The significance of the timing is to remember the armistice that went into effect at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, which signaled the end of what was at that time considered to be the “war to end all wars.”

“We will have several activities that attendees can join including demonstrations of full military gear, a terrain display of a day in the field, a grenade toss, and a nonalcoholic Purdue Fort Wayne version of grog,” said Nicole Welsh, senior compliance officer, Military Student Services. “There will also be an obstacle course that students can try, as well as food.”

The event’s goal is to bridge the gap between military and veteran students and more traditional students. Military Student Services annually works with more than 160 students.