The University of Central Missouri invites the campus and local community to attend an annual pre-Memorial Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, on the east side lawn of the Alumni Memorial Chapel. Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, will be the keynote speaker. The ceremony also includes a “Moment of Reflection,” presented by Col. Gary D. Gilmore, Missouri National Guard joint services chaplain; recognition for individuals who lost their lives serving this country by Lt. Col. Philip Dan Cureton, chair of the UCM Department of Military Science; and honor given to those soldiers who were prisoners of war or missing in action featuring the Whiteman Air Force Base Color Guard. The Missouri Army National Guard also will present colors during the event. The Columbia Vet Center also will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 20 to provide veterans with health care information and assist them with signing up for VA benefits. Its mobile unit will be parked near the Elliott Student Union mall, outside the Military and Veterans Success Center on the north side of the building. Additionally, representatives from the Kansas City VA Medical Center will be available from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to provide health care information.

For information, contact Jeff Huffman, director of Military and Veterans Services or Delilah Nichols, coordinator, at 660-543-8989 or 660-543-8977, or via email at jhuffman@ucmo.edu or nichols@ucmo.edu.