DeKALB | This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Veterans Memorial Flagpole.

Veterans Day ceremonies across the country take place at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Because Veterans Day falls on a Saturday, the NIU Veterans Club will honor veterans on Friday at 11 a.m. at the flagpole across from Altgeld Hall.

The Memorial Flagpole was given to the university in 1956 by the Veterans Club.

The ceremony will entail a re-dedication of the flagpole involving a new bronze plaque and two guest speakers, including Jerry Beckus, an NIU Veterans Club alumnus. In his speech, Beckus will explain how and why the flagpole was donated.

“Two years ago, the guest speaker was a doctor who had recently come back from Iraq,” said Jon Lehuta, faculty adviser for the Veterans Club. “Everyone’s story is different, but they are always motivating.”

Other anticipated guests include Captain Eric Weyenberg, assistant professor of military science, Mark Mueller, a Gulf War veteran and former NIU Veterans Club president and Reverend Father Godwin Asuquo of the Newman Catholic Student Center. Mueller will lead the re-dedication, present the new plaque and Father Asuquo will offer the benediction.

While the guest speakers vary each year, the Army ROTC color guard always presents and retires the colors and the Army ROTC rifle squad fires the 21-gun salute.

James Searing, a junior electrical engineering and mathematical sciences major, is a member of the 106th Cavalry in the National Guard, a division of the military that is involved in ground combat on the front lines.

“I haven’t been overseas yet, but our unit is planning on deploying in the next couple of years,” Searing said. “However, I was sent down to do security missions during the hurricane last year.”

“Honoring Veterans Day means a lot. Thousands of soldiers before me have given their everything just so we can be here today and continue to honor our country.”

Everyone is welcome to attend the event.

“It’s always good to remind yourself of the sacrifices of the veterans,” Lehuta said.