HAMMOND – The Fleet Master Chief of the U.S. Fleet Forces Command will be the keynote speaker at Purdue University Calumet’s Veterans Day Convocation, Friday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. in Alumni Hall of the university’s Student Union & Library.
Keynote speaker Michael Stevens heads a command that supports the Chief of Naval Operations and Combatant Commanders worldwide by providing ready-for-tasking naval forces and operational and planning support. The U.S. Fleet Forces Command organizes, mans, trains, maintains and equips naval forces in collaboration with the U.S. Pacific Fleet. It also serves as the Chief of Naval Operations’ designated executive agent for Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection, Individual Augmentees and Sea Basing.
Admission is free to the event, which also will honor Montfort Point Marine Corp veterans. Often referred as “the hidden heroes,” these individuals desegregated the U.S. Marine Corp following a presidential directive by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. From 1942 to 1949, some 20,000 African American Marines received basic training at Montfort Point at Camp Lejeune, NC.
Additionally, the Purdue Calumet Theatre Company will perform scenes from the play, Tracers, about a collection of letters penned by Viet Nam war veterans. The United States Marine Corp Music Ensemble will offer musical selections, as well.
During the program, Purdue Calumet will recognize military veterans and current service personnel. To reserve a seat and be acknowledged, contact the university at 219/989-2727 or 800/HI-PURDUE, ext. 2727.
The convocation is sponsored by Purdue Calumet’s From Boots to Books: Veterans and Student Service Members Academic Support Program.
Purdue Calumet’s Student Union & Library is located off Indianapolis Boulevard, one-third mile north of Interstate 80/94 to 173rd Street, nearly four blocks east to the traffic light and north into a large parking lot.
