It was once called the Great War, because battle flames consumed the European continent for four long years and led to the death of more than 9 million combatants and 7 million civilians. Twenty years later it would earn a new title: World War I. By that time, Adolf Hitler was exacting an even greater toll on humanity.
Nov. 11, 2018, will mark the 100th anniversary of the signing of the armistice that brought World War I to an unfulfilling closure. On Saturday, Nov. 10, Eastern Kentucky University will host two ceremonies to recognize the sacrifices made to help bring the war to an end.
At 8 a.m. on the second floor of the Crabbe Library, the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs will conduct a Remembrance Day roll call, reading the names of all Kentuckians who died as a result of the war. The roll call will pay special tribute to four members of the Eastern campus community who perished – Maj. Alexander Cornelison of Madison County, 1st Sgt. Albert Shearer of Wayne County, Cpl. Patrick Hall of Letcher County and Chief Quartermaster Eugene Roark, the youngest son of Eastern Kentucky State Normal School’s first president, Dr. Ruric Nevel Roark and its second president, his wife, Mary C. Roark.
The ceremony will take place next to a World War I memorabilia display from EKU Archives, which was created to mark the 100th anniversary and is already available for viewing.
At 10 a.m. that day, EKU’s Department of Military Science will host its traditional memorial service at the veterans wall in Memorial Plaza adjacent to the Mediation Chapel. The service will include the addition of four names of World War I casualties and one Vietnam veteran, Kenneth Carter Jr. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will move inside the chapel.
For those attending the Crabbe Library ceremony, parking is available along University Drive. For those attending the veterans memorial service only, the closest parking is in the Commonwealth/Palmer lots or near the Science Building. Limited handicap parking is available near the new Case Dining Hall.
Veterans are also invited to participate in the customary halftime tribute to veterans on Hanger Field at the football game, which begins at 1 p.m. Free tickets are available to active military and veterans who show identification at the stadium box office. Two free tickets, one for the service member one for a guest, plus discounted tickets for other guests, will be available.