SNU to Host Annual Veterans Day Observance and Wreath Laying Ceremony

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[Bethany, OK] - Southern Nazarene University (SNU) invites students, faculty, alumni, veterans, and community members to join in honoring the brave men and women who have served to defend our nation’s freedoms. The university’s annual Veterans Day Observance and Wreath Laying Ceremony will take place at 11:00 am on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the SNU Soldiers’ Monument, “Tears From a Grateful Heart” sculpture, located at the Bud Robinson Mall on SNU’s campus.

The event will feature remarks from university and community leaders, followed by the laying of a wreath in tribute to veterans. The guest speaker for the ceremony will be Lieutenant Colonel Peter Plank (Army National Guard, Retired). An SNU alumnus and Vice Mayor and Ward 1 City Councilman for the City of Bethany, Oklahoma, LTC Plank is also the Veterans Affairs Officer with the Liberty Jump Team. This local veteran-service organization honors veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. It leads efforts to bring veterans back to Normandy for D-Day commemorations. 

Following the outdoor ceremony, a reception will be held from approximately 11:30 am to 12:30 pm in the Hearth Room on the second floor of SNU’s Marchant Hall. This come-and-go gathering, hosted by the SNU VETS Center staff, offers the opportunity for veterans, students, faculty, and community members to connect, reflect, and honor those who have valiantly served our country. 

“Veterans Day is an important day for our country,” said Mark Nadig, Director of SNU’s VETS Center. “ It is an opportunity for us to come together as a community, to remember and honor our veterans, recognizing their commitment to service, and for us to reflect on the sacrifices of those military servicemembers who did not return home. We’re very grateful for LTC Plank coming to be our guest speaker and for SNU hosting this event. It will be a special day, and we encourage families, friends, and guests to attend.”

Please visit our event web page for more information or to RSVP. In case of inclement weather on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, the wreath-laying ceremony will be held inside the Heritage Conference Room at Webster Commons on the SNU campus.

About Southern Nazarene University

Southern Nazarene University, located in Bethany, Oklahoma, is a private Christian institution committed to shaping servant leaders since 1899. SNU currently serves a veteran- and military-affiliated student population that makes up almost 10 percent of the entire student body. With more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs offered on campus and online, SNU emphasizes accessibility, purpose-driven education, and holistic student support.