In honor of Veteran Appreciation Week, students were given the opportunity to decorate bandanas to send to U.S. troops overseas.

Women’s and Men’s Programs, the Veterans Services Task Force and Sigma Lambda Alpha sorority teamed up to sponsor Operation Bandana, a week-long event that provided bandanas and decorating materials outside Market Square on the second floor of the Brown Lupton University Union.

Before and after eating in the BLUU, students dropped by the decorating table  to paint and decorate bandanas, as well as write cards and make bracelets for the troops.

Freshman writing major Laura Lopez said she took part in Veteran Appreciation Week because her boyfriend is currently overseas on active duty in the U.S. Air Force.

“The support [the troops] get from back home really means a lot, and it’s what drives them to keep going on the days when they get discouraged,” she said.

Lopez said she would place a picture of her and her boyfriend on the Wall of Honor next to the bandana decorating station to honor his service.

Collin Yoxall, a senior political science major, also stopped by the table for personal reasons.

“I made a card to send to my cousin who is at Barksdale Air Force Base,” he said.

April Brown, assistant director of inclusiveness and intercultural services and chair of Veterans Services Task Force, said a large part of the reason for Veteran Appreciation Week was to raise the visibility of veterans on campus, 20 of whom collaborated with the Task Force to put on some of the week’s events.

Veteran Appreciation Week started the Wall of Honor three years ago, but this was the first year students decorated bandanas, a venture made possible in part by Women’s and Men’s Programs.

“It was a nice joint effort for getting students involved in a good cause,” Brown said.

Friday, Nov. 11
Flag planting at Sadler Hall, 9 a.m.
Wreath-laying at Reed Hall, 10 a.m.
Campus-wide Moment of Silence, 11 a.m.
Celebration Luncheon in the BLUU Ballroom, 11 a.m.