The MTSU Veterans Memorial outside the Tom H. Jackson Building will be open to the public at any time during the Memorial Day weekend.

Hilary Miller, director of the MTSU Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center, invites anyone interested “to stop by and visit this beautiful memorial site on campus, and leave flags, note cards or flowers.”

The general public is invited to visit the MTSU Veterans Memorial, 628 Alma Mater Drive near Middle Tennessee Boulevard, during the Memorial Day Weekend May 29-31. the site includes a granite and brick memorial listing the names of fallen military alumni as well as other MTSU-affiliated fallen soldiers, alumni veterans and military-connected organizations and supporters. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)

The memorial, dedicated in 2009, was built “to preserve the memory of MTSU’s tradition of military service, build a physical monument to honor their contribution to our country, and inspire a spirit of service to future generations of ‘Blue Raiders.’”

Located at 628 Alma Mater Drive, just off Middle Tennessee Boulevard, the site includes a granite and brick memorial listing the names of fallen military alumni as well as other MTSU-affiliated fallen soldiers, alumni veterans and military-connected organizations and supporters.

To find parking, go here. To learn more about the memorial, visit here.

Dr. Hilary Miller

Keith M. Huber

Memorial Day is a federal holiday honoring and mourning military personnel who have died in the performance of their duties while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It’s observed on the last Monday of May, meaning MTSU will be closed that day in observance and will resume classes and office operations on Tuesday, June 1.

No formal program is planned for the holiday weekend, said Miller, who will place a special wreath from Rion’s Flowers, Coffee & Gifts at the site sometime after noon Friday, May 28.

“This is one of my favorite places,” Miller said of the memorial site. “I encourage people to come out. … We truly want this to be a place where we’re remembering our fallen.”

Miller added that the if anyone has updates or additions to the Daniels Center’s “Roll of Honor” to contact her at Hilary.Miller@mtsu.edu.

To view video of Miller inviting the public to come and spend time at the memorial site, go here.

Also, in off-campus community activities, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives, will be giving remarks at the town of Smyrna’s Memorial Day Ceremony that will be held 11 a.m. Monday at the Capt. Jeff Kuss USMC Memorial located at Lee Victory Recreation Park, 110 Sam Ridley Parkway East in Smyrna. Also giving remarks at the ceremony will be Smyrna Town Manager Brian Hercules and VFW District 6, Post No. 8422 Commander Darrell Birk.

To learn more about the Daniels Center, home to more than 1,000 student veterans and family members, visit https://www.mtsu.edu/military/ or call 615-904-8347. The center is located in Rooms 124 and 316 in Keathley University Center.

—Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)