This year’s Veterans Day ceremonies promise to be a great show, said Janis Armstrong, Veterans Services coordinator.

Veterans Day observance will begin at 12:30 p.m. today and will be held in CU3.

Given that OCCC ranks third in the state in the number of military veterans it serves, this will be a significant event for the college, Armstrong said.

Keynote speaker William Brown, with the Department of Veteran Affairs, will present “The Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month,” a history of Veterans Day.

Patriotic music will highlight the program. The college’s auditions-only choir, called the Chamber Singers, will perform “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Later in the program, Librarian Linda Boatright will sing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” a hymn written by Julia Ward Howe that became popular during the American Civil War.

Singing with Boatright is Christian Morren, voice professor.

Darin Behara, Student Life director, will open the program and welcome everybody, Armstrong said.

Lorenzo Rubio, a U.S. Marine and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Veterans attending will include Randy Sanchez, a Marine and workstudy employee for Veterans Services, who was decorated with a Purple Heart for his service in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Armstrong said.

“I encourage you to remember, honor, and salute our service men and women, and to share a heartfelt and sincere thank you,” Armstrong said.

For more information, contact Armstrong at 405-682-1611, ext. 7695, or jarmstrong@occc.edu.