College recognizes Veterans Day
The College of William and Mary recognized Veterans Day this week with a variety of events and observances, including the tolling of the Wren Bell at 11:11 a.m. today.
At the law school, the Military Law Society hosted a care package drive to collect items for deployed troops. The society will send the package to Army 1st Lt. Jenna Grassbaugh, who was a member of the Law Class of 2009 when her husband was killed in action. To honor his sacrifice, Grassbaugh left the College to serve in the same division as her husband - the 82nd Airborne.
Additionally at the law school today, a reception was held to celebrate the creation of the new William and Mary Veterans Benefits Clinic, which will open in January. The clinic will assist veterans with service-related disability compensation claims.
“The Law School can think of no better way to honor Veterans Day than to offer our assistance to those who have sacrificed so much for our country and our freedom,” said Dean Lynda Butler.
Today’s events were not the only recognition of Veterans Day at William and Mary. On Sunday, the Veterans Society of William and Mary, the College’s ROTC and other organizations collaborated to host a Veterans Day celebration in the Sunken Garden.
During the event, four-person teams competed in a paint-free paintball tournament to win prizes and money for the charitable causes of their choice. The winning team donated their $100 prize to Toys for Tots.
Outside of the playing field, musical groups performed, the Queens’ Guard conducted a drill performance, and people signed a banner and dropped off care packages for alumni, siblings and spouses of William and Mary people serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Additionally, tables were set up by multicultural organizations to highlight the contribution of their groups to the U.S. Armed Forces.
