Cameron University will celebrate all things military during “Vet Fest” on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The event, hosted by the campus Office of Veterans Affairs, is open to everyone, especially veterans, military service members and dependents.
Vet Fest will kick off with a 10 a.m. salute led by Fort Sill’s howitzer, courtesy of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Field Artillery Regiment, 428th Field Artillery Brigade, as well as Cameron’s own ceremonial artillery piece, “Big Ollie.” The salute will be fired in Bentley Gardens just south of the McMahon Centennial Complex at University Drive and D Avenue. The ceremony is open to the public.
Visitors can explore a variety of outdoor displays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., weather permitting. In addition to the howitzer, the 428th Field Artillery Brigade, 761st Ordnance Company will share some of its robotics platforms, with interactive robots on-site. A special appearance is planned by Fort Sill’s live animal mascots, “Big Deuce” and “Short Round” – a donkey and goat – representing 2nd Battalion, 2nd Field Artillery Regiment. The unit is one of only two in the U.S. Army authorized to have live animal mascots.
After the opening ceremony, a number of activities are planned inside the McMahon Centennial Complex, including a performance by the Comanche Nation Youth Dancers in the McCasland Foundation Ballroom and a historical overview of noted professional baseball players who were also veterans by Mark Megehee. Learning stations operated by the Museum of the Great Plains and the Medicine Park Aquarium & Natural Sciences Center will also be located upstairs.
Cameron will also play host to young visitors from the USO Homeschool program during the day.
Starting at 9 a.m. and continuing until 3 p.m., the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System will operate a free flu vaccination clinic in the McCasland Foundation Ballroom on the second floor of the McMahon Centennial Complex. This service is only available for veterans who are already registered with the VA Health Care System. No appointment is needed.
Getting vaccinated each year is one of the most effective ways veterans can protect against serious illness. The flu shot helps reduce the spread of influenza in the community and is especially important for veterans with chronic health conditions or those who may be at higher risk of complications.
Even veterans not registered with the VA Health Care System are encouraged to attend the resource fair. Among the information tables will be VA Health Care and Eligibility from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Representatives will be able to sign up veterans so that they can take advantage of future healthcare opportunities.
PR#26-114
