Saint Leo University will host its Veterans Day event, which is open to the public, beginning at 10 a.m., Tuesday, November 8.

Saint Leo U Hosting Veterans Day Event Nov. 8

Public Invited to Commemoration, Celebration of University’s 50 Years of Educating Military

Saint Leo University Hosting Parachutists, Former SOCOM Commander at Veterans Day Ceremony on November 8

Saint Leo University will hold a Veterans Day ceremony 10 – 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 8, at its campus at 33701 State Road 52, St. Leo, FL 33574.

The public is invited to join in the commemoration honoring U.S. veterans, and it also begins Saint Leo’s celebration of 50 years of military education. The university’s 50th anniversary celebration will include several events taking place from November 2022 through November 2023.

All eyes will be on the sky during the event as there will be a parachute jump by the U.S. A-Team into the Bowl, next to the Student Community Center on the banks of Lake Jovita. The “target” time for the team is 10:20 a.m. The jump will be followed by presenting of the flag by the color guard and playing of the national anthem, and a welcome by Dr. Larry Braue, director of the Office of Military Affairs and Services.

Guest speaker for the ceremony will be retired U.S. Army General Raymond A. “Tony” Thomas III, former commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), which is headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. Prior to assuming command of USSOCOM, Thomas served as commander of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) at Fort Bragg, NC. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College and the Naval Command and Staff College. He attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY, and was commissioned an infantry second lieutenant upon graduation in 1980.

Refreshments will be served following the ceremony, which is taking place ahead of Veterans Day as the university will be closed that day (November 11).

For more information, contact Dr. Larry Braue, director of the Office of Military Affairs and Services, by email at Lawrence.braue@saintleo.edu. Parking is available in the university’s parking garage beneath the Turf Stadium.

Saint Leo University recently received top honors from the 2022 Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges—the university earned rankings of No. 24 among all schools in the United States, No. 3 among online schools, No. 5 among private schools, and No. 7 among schools in the Southeast.

More than one-quarter of Saint Leo’s student population is affiliated with the military, and this includes members of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard, National Guard members, retired military officers and enlisted veterans, military spouses, dependents, and others.

Historically, Saint Leo University served veterans and military personnel during the post-Vietnam era when many college campuses removed anything military-related. In 1973, the then-Saint Leo College began an extension program by opening education centers for military students at Avon Park Bombing Range and MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. This strong history gives Saint Leo experience in assisting the military and veterans, Braue said.

For more information about Saint Leo’s Office of Military Affairs and Services, call (352) 588-6703 or email Lawrence.braue@saintleo.edu.

About Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University is one of the largest Catholic universities in the nation, offering 62 degree programs to more than 15,800 students each year. Founded in 1889 by Benedictine monks and sisters, the private, nonprofit university is known for providing a values-based education to learners of all backgrounds and ages in the liberal arts tradition. Saint Leo is regionally accredited and offers a residential campus in the Tampa Bay region of Florida, 16 education centers in five states, and an online program for students anywhere. The university is home to more than 100,000 alumni. Learn more at saintleo.edu.