The University of New Mexico maintains its reputation of honoring and celebrating its Veterans and military-affiliated members and their families through its Veterans Day Celebration and Remembrance each year.

The Veterans Alumni Chapter and Veterans & Military Resource Center (VMRC) accompanied by the Navy, Army, and Air Force ROTC units, hosts the 2023 event on Friday, Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. in the UNM Alumni Memorial Chapel, with guest speaker Hanson Scott, retired Brigadier General, USAF. This celebration is to recognize the Lobos who have served in wars and major conflicts. 

Brigadier General Scott was a command pilot with more than 5,500 flying hours. He has been awarded the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters, and Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster. He is a native New Mexican, hailing from Reserve, and a graduate of USAF Academy. His service to New Mexico was recognized via Senate Memorial 107 in 2015.

Lobos served in World War I, World War II, and in Korea and Vietnam, recalled Joe McKinney, university planner emeritus. At times, the UNM campus has been utilized for training and housing. In some cases, the cavalry and their horses bunked here, too. During World War I, horse stalls were located in front of Mesa Vista Hall, and Johnson Field was teeming with training and marches. During World War II, aeronautical engineers and aviation officers were trained by way of two dive bombers on campus, and naval soldiers ran UNM’s steam plant.

“By 1944, almost every male student was wearing some type of Navy uniform,” said former Naval ROTC Commanding Officer CAPT. Michael Riley. “At one point, there were about 900 officers and midshipmen running around on campus.

UNM is one of a few universities in the southwest to have all three service branches represented on campus since 1941. It is one of the top Military Friendly Institutions in the nation and takes great pride in its tailored support for Lobo service members through the VMRC, which helps Veteran students and their families transition into the college experience.

There will be a reception following the service in the Chapel courtyard. For more information, visit the event webpage.