Volunteers Needed for Veterans Day Roll Call Nov. 11 at UW

For the past 12 years, the University of Wyoming Veterans Services Center (VSC) has recognized the significance, solemnity and fraternal connection of Veterans Day through its Veterans Roll Call, a reading of the names of service members lost during America's War on Terror. That time period spanned operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.

Volunteers are needed to read the names of the 7,041 military members who died serving their country for the Veterans Day event Monday, Nov. 11. The UW Marna M. Kuehne Foundation VSC will host its annual national roll call program on Simpson Plaza, joining campuses from across the country in similar events beginning at 8 a.m. through 8 p.m.

"While combat operations have ceased, the commitment and drive of our student veterans to never forget the names of our comrades will always continue. The Veterans Roll Call is an initiative to spread awareness of service, pride in the military profession and connection within the veteran community," says Joshua Hepworth, senior project coordinator in the VSC and a military veteran. "The VSC invites members of our UW campus community -- students, staff and faculty -- to consider volunteering to read a portion of the 7,041 names of military members who died during combat operations from 2003-2022."

Volunteers -- including those in the Laramie community -- are needed to each read about 100 names, with each time block expected to last about 10 minutes. A specific time block may be requested, and anyone is welcome to read during multiple time blocks.

"The reader is given the opportunity to include the names of family members or friends who are military members or veterans, living or deceased," Hepworth says. "At the end of the time slot, the reader will be presented a 'silver dog tag' to place on the 'Soldier's Cross.'"

The online form to select a time slot can be found here.

For more information about the event, call the VSC at (307) 766-6908 or email Hepworth at [email protected].