Interim president Dr. Laurie Bernotsky signed a proclamation Tuesday designating Nov. 6-10 Military and Veterans Appreciation Week at Pennsylvania Western University.

The proclamation reaffirms PennWest’s commitment to serving and supporting veterans and military families and lauds the continued contributions of past and present members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

“PennWest is proud to count many military veterans – along with Reserve, National Guard and active-duty service members – among our students, alumni, faculty and staff,” Bernotsky said. “Today, and throughout the year, we acknowledge the special range of experiences they bring to our university community.”

Edinboro ROTC cadets will conduct an outdoor flag-raising ceremony beginning at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 10 outside Frank G. Pogue Student Center, 405 Scotland Rd, Edinboro, followed at 9 a.m. by a community breakfast in Pogue Student Center’s Multipurpose Room.

The breakfast is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required.

Rep. Jake Banta, a former Navy Seal who represents the people of Pennsylvania’s 4th Legislative District, will deliver the keynote address. Following the 9/11 attacks on America, Banta was a security specialist for the Department of Defense (DOD) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), serving his nation in Iraq, Afghanistan and Middle Eastern areas of operations for 18 years.

For more information on military and veteran support at PennWest, visit www.pennwest.edu/military.

Pictured: PennWest Interim President Dr. R. Lorraine Bernotsky signs a PennWest Military and Veterans Appreciation Week proclamation with Reyanna Solomon (left), a junior criminal justice major; Roldan Riley, a senior biology major; and Sgt. Laura Miller and Staff Sgt. Luke Bauer, National Guard recruiters.