A tradition at AIC, the Veterans Day ceremony honors those who have served our country. Sponsored by AIC’s multigenerational Alumni Veterans Committee—composed of alumni spanning more than fifty years—this annual event brings the campus community together in remembrance.

 

Senior Airman (SrA) Adriana Natasha Tavarez, a recent addition to the U.S. Air Force Reserve, will serve as the keynote speaker. SrA Tavarez took her oath of enlistment shortly before turning forty. Now, with over two years of service, her story highlights bold choices and new beginnings, demonstrating resilience in military life and proving that it's never too late to begin a chapter of transformative service.

 

In addition to the keynote address, the program includes several tributes, including the Missing Man Table presentation by Westover Air Reserve Base. Interim AIC President Nicole Cestero will recognize Outstanding Veteran Alumna Beth Dion ’93, and retired AIC Professor Gary Lefort, U.S. Army, will present the Admiral Hines Pin to graduating seniors Lantaben Williams ’25, U.S. Army, and Lillie Kaempfe, ’25, Missouri National Guard.

 

The ceremony will conclude with the reading of It Is the Soldier by Douglas Mattson ’70, a wreath presentation by the Veterans Alumni Committee, and the playing of Taps.

 

To assist in event planning, guests are encouraged to register at www.aic.edu/veteransday. 

 

We sincerely hope to see you there. 

 

 

 

The AIC Veterans Alumni Committee is looking to expand its membership! Our mission is to honor, support, and recognize AIC students who have returned from deployment or been on active military duty. 

 

We meet monthly on Zoom to engage our alumni who are near and far!

 

Each year, the committee sponsors an annual Veterans Day Ceremony with a moment of recognition for graduating student veterans, supports the campus Veterans Resource Center, and advances other initiatives aligned with our mission.

 

To learn more, please email the Alumni Office at alumni@aic.edu.