McHenry Community College to host Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony

McHenry County College will host a Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony beginning with patriotic music by the MCC Concert Band and Chorus at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7 in the MCC gym/multi-purpose room in Building A, 8900 Route 14 in Crystal Lake.

Community and student veterans, along with faculty, staff and guests, will gather for the program that will include speakers, patriotic music, posting of the colors by a combined service color guard, and bagpipe music. In addition to recognizing veterans, visitors will have an opportunity to mingle and meet other veterans at a reception following the ceremony.

"Our annual Veterans Day program is one of the many things we do to honor our country's military veterans," said Don Curfman, instructor and advisor for the Student Veterans Association at MCC. "We also help veterans transition from the military service to college with our student organization and our Student Veterans Resource Center.

The keynote speaker is Michael A. Harvey Jr., U.S. Army, retired. Harvey's family has a combined total of 490 years of military service.

"Everything that the military service trained me to do has served me well, so that I may be of service to others," Harvey said.

Harvey earned dual bachelor's degrees in social work and Christian studies, followed by a master's degree in social work from Loyola University.

Kati Beck of Marengo, president of the Military and Student Veterans Association at MCC, will also share her thoughts and comments during the ceremony.

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served after the program. For information, call the MCC Veterans Day Committee at (815) 479-7635.