The NIU Veterans Club will put on a Support Our Troops Rally at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday evening at the King Memorial Commons.

The event will feature speakers and a reading of names of soldiers killed during U.S. military operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The reading will take place next to candlelight.

“The rally will honor the sacrifices of those who are serving overseas and their families here at home,” said Jennifer Webster, president of the NIU Veterans Club and a senior music major.

One of the speakers will be Amanda Weisbacker, former vice president of the NIU Veterans Club, an army veteran and wife of a Desert Storm veteran.

Karl Froehlich from the DeKalb Fire Department will play the bagpipes, and the DeKalb County Marine Corps League will present the flags.

In the case of rain, canopies will be set up in the MLK Commons.

“Even if it’s pouring rain, we’ll be out there,” Webster said.

The DeKalb Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 2287, will sell T-shirts at the rally for $10 each. All proceeds will benefit Operation USO Care Package, which delivers needed items and personal messages to service members deployed overseas.

The NIU Veterans Club will collect money for care packages all day Wednesday.

A student-run and SA-recognized organization, the NIU Veterans Club is dedicated to the advancement of student veterans, especially regarding their rights and benefits. They participate in service and social activities.