Honoring those who have served our country, OSU Institute of Technology will hold the annual Veterans Day celebration Friday, Nov. 8, to recognize our United States Armed Forces’ veterans and active military members.

The celebration is open to the public and will include a parade followed by a ceremony with a keynote speaker and slideshow honoring OSUIT faculty, staff and community who have served.

The parade kicks off at 9:30 a.m. near the intersection of Wayne Miller Drive and Tower Road. The route goes west on Wayne Miller Drive, then turns south on Covelle Boulevard, then east on First Street before ending at Covelle Hall.

U.S. Marine Corps Retired Gunnery Sgt. Debra Fortune will serve as the keynote speaker at 10:30 a.m. in Covelle Hall Auditorium.

Fortune served from May 19, 1981, to May 31, 2007, and was stationed in Camp Pendleton, California; Camp Lejune, North Carolina; Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania; and NAS Alameda, California, among others.

She is currently raising her 12-year-old grandson and volunteering for various veterans organizations. She is also an adjutant for American Legion Post 226 in Coweta, Oklahoma and helps veterans and widows of veterans receive benefits.

“OSUIT has such a rich military history. It’s important we show veterans how much they are valued and how much we appreciate them,” said Sommer Farrimond, OSUIT Veteran Services coordinator.

Several community organizations will be in the celebration including Okmulgee County Emergency Management, Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police, Albert E Schwab Detachment #857 of the Marine Corps League, and the VFW Post 539 of Henryetta.

Farrimond said this event is important to continue each year for our veterans and active military.

“I believe it is important because I want to thank and celebrate the many students who served our country and then chose to attend OSUIT, as well as the countless veterans in the Okmulgee area alone,” said Farrimond.