Press Release for Monday, November 4, 2019

UNF Military and Veterans Resource Center Hosts Ninth Annual Veterans Day Tribute

Media Contact: Amanda Ennis

Public Relations Acting Director

(904) 620-2192

The Military and Veterans Resource Center (MVRC) at the University of North Florida will host its ninth annual Veterans Day Tribute to honor UNF students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members who have served or are still serving in the military at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, in Veterans Plaza in front of the John A. Delaney Student Union.

This event is part of the City of Jacksonville’s Celebration of Valor, an annual series of educational, patriotic and civic events honoring the service and sacrifice of Jacksonville’s proud military community.

The program’s theme is “Honoring All Who Served” and will feature local U.S. Navy Capt. Daniel J. Gillen, director of Maritime Operations Center of Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida. The ceremony will include a presentation of colors by the UNF Army ROTC as well as a performance of the national anthem and a selection of military service songs by the UNF Brass Quintet.

“The MVRC is proud to host Capt. Gillen,” said Bob Buehn, retired U.S. Navy Capt. and UNF MVRC director. “His years of dedicated service to our country will inspire all in attendance.”

Gillen is a career surface warfare officer, having served on an amphibious ship, two destroyers, frigate and three cruisers. He commanded USS McFAUL and USS HUE CITY. On shore duty, Gillen served on the Navy staff in the Pentagon, Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee, and U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Florida.

UNF has more than 1,300 veterans, including active duty military students. The University has been ranked as a military friendly school by Victory Media for 10 consecutive years.

The MVRC receives nearly 20,000 visits from students each year and is committed to providing a broad range of student services and resources focused on the unique needs of today’s military veterans, service members and their families to enhance their smooth transition from the military environment to campus life. The Center also provides opportunities for peer-to-peer support, mentoring, scholarships, internships, social networking and job placement.

This event is free and open to the public; parking is $5. For more event information, contact Theresa Hammock, UNF MVRC coordinator, at (904) 620-5042.

UNF is a nationally ranked university in Jacksonville, Florida, that is nestled on a beautiful 1,300-acre nature preserve, featuring six colleges of distinction as well as nationally recognized flagship programs, with 56 bachelor degree programs and over 75 areas of concentration.

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