In light of the upcoming Veterans Day this year, Missouri State University will honor all military and first responders at its annual Hosting Heroes Day on Nov 2. 

All heroes will receive free admission (with a service ID) to the Bears football game vs. Southern Illinois at 2 p.m. in Plaster Stadium (gates open at 1 p.m.). Their guests can enjoy $7 reserved bleacher tickets. BearFest Village opens at 11 a.m.  

Celebrating veterans 

On Nov. 8, Missouri State invites all veterans in the greater Springfield area to join in a celebration on campus.  

“We take great pride in celebrating the dedication and courage of our veteran community,” said Brent Dunn, Missouri State vice president for university advancement and Missouri State Foundation executive director. “This event gives us all an opportunity to express our gratitude and reflect on the profound contributions veterans have made to our country, community and campus.” 

Veterans Day Breakfast  

Enjoy a complimentary breakfast with special guest speaker, Jillian Morris. A daughter of Master Sgt. Stephen “Mike” Arnold and Airman Denie Arnold, Morris grew up as a military child during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

She has lived at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Kadena Airbase, Okinawa City, Okinawa, Japan; and Warner Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins, Georgia, where her family currently resides. Morris is a sixth-grade math teacher at Westport Middle School in Springfield.

The Missouri State Pride Band will provide music and service songs. There will also be the Color Guard service song presented by the MSU Pershing Rifles Company and a musical performance of the national anthem. 

Breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. with the program to follow at 9 a.m. in the Plaster Student Union (PSU) Ballroom. Doors open at 8 a.m. 

The complimentary breakfast is sponsored by Central Bank/Central Trust. Register by Nov. 1. 

Taps Project 

The national anthem will play at 10:55 a.m. outside of McDonald Arena. After that, Taps will be played across campus (beginning and ending at McDonald Arena) at 11:11 a.m. by Missouri State trumpeters. The Missouri State Bear Battalion will accompany them. 

Parking is available in the Davis-Harrington Welcome Center Lot 14 (southwest corner of National/Bear Blvd.) or Lot 29 (northwest corner of National/Bear Blvd.). Golf carts will transport guests from the parking lots to PSU beginning at 8 a.m. and will run until the conclusion of Taps. 

Register for the Veterans Day Breakfast