MANSFIELD, PA— Mansfield University honored students, faculty and staff who are serving or have served in the U.S. military with a Veterans Appreciation Luncheon on Thursday, November 10 in North Manser Hall.
Thomas A. Brown, Pennsylvania Department of Veterans 
of Foreign Wars (VFW) State Commander and Navy veteran, was the guest speaker.
“Veterans Day salutes all who serve, regardless of where and when,” Brown said. “It is our day, which we equally share with our families who serve and sacrifice alongside of us. We honor the sacrifices of 22 million living veterans who have served our country for liberty and justice.”
MU President Fran Hendricks, who served 33 years in the US Air Force after graduating from Mansfield, retiring as a Brigadier General, thanked the veterans and active duty personnel at the event.
“This luncheon is for you and for all who have answered our nation’s call and made it possible that individuals can come to a school such as this in pursuit of their life’s dreams and aspirations,” Hendricks said.An ROTC Color Guard, commanded by Staff Sergeant Jason Welch, Pennsylvania National Guard and purchasing agent at MU, presented the colors at the luncheon. Music technology major Rachel Lehman sang the national anthem. Pastor Thadius Sales, an MU student and Army veteran, delivered the Missing Man Table salute and the invocation.
The Veterans Appreciation Luncheon was sponsored by Mansfield VFW Post 6757, Morris Run American Legion Post 167, Arnot Sportsmen’s Cub, Blossburg American Legion Post 572, Troy Vets Club, Mansfield University Advancement Office, Bret Buterbaugh, Robert Rosenberg, Scott and Pam Boyce, Wade and Tanya Reese, Roger Maisner, Mindy Engel, Bonnie Phelps and Dusty Zeyn.
The event organized by the MU Military & Veteran Affairs Office.
For information about academic programs and support for Military and Veterans at MU, go to mansfield.edu/military-veterans