The NIU Veterans Club will hold a ceremony to honor veterans at 11 a.m. today at the Veteran’s Memorial Flag Pole by the East Lagoon, across from Lowden Hall.

The ceremony’s purpose is to honor everyone that has served, said Jennifer Webster, president of the NIU Veterans Club. Webster is a senior music education major and has been president of the club for two years. She said the ceremony is open to everyone.

The ceremony will open with the Star Spangled Banner, and the ROTC will provide the color guard at the opening of the ceremony and the honor guard at the end, Webster said.

Webster said three people will speak during the ceremony. Speakers will be Dr. John Wassner, a Sycamore surgeon who just came back from serving in Afghanistan; Lt. Col. Stephen Payne, chair of the military science department; and Jon Lehuta, adviser for the NIU Veterans Club who served in the Navy for 16 years.

The Rev. Steve Knox, of the Newman Catholic Student Center, will give a benediction, and music major Eric Rauch will play taps, Webster said.

Webster said the veterans club has been holding a ceremony to honor veterans almost every year. Next year will be its 50th anniversary.

“Veterans sacrifice a lot serving our country, and it’s important to show respect and gratitude for their service,” she said.

The NIU Veterans Club is collecting items for the Dear Soldier holiday care packages program in donation boxes by the University Bookstore at the Holmes Student Center, Webster said.

She also said there will be index cards by the boxes where students can write the name, rank and dates of service if they would like a certain veteran to be honored at the ceremony.