Breakfast, flag-raising, and fun walk part of Veterans Day celebration Nov. 9

Lab will be closed on Veterans Day Nov. 11

November 3, 2010—The Laboratory will honor veterans at the annual veterans breakfast, flag-raising ceremony, and fun run/walk on Tuesday, November 9. The activities, which the Lab's Veterans Committee has conducted for nearly 20 years, are cosponsored by the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity (HR-OEOD).

Approximately 950 Lab employees and several hundred subcontract personnel are veterans, said Veterans Committee Chair David Swingle of Contractor Assurance Office—Performance Feedback (CAO-PF).

Veterans Day breakfast

What: No-host breakfast open to all Lab workers, retirees, and veterans from the community. This year's guest speaker is Lieutenant Colonel Lydia Ilcus, MD, United States Air Force, stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base, who has deployed to the Middle East and served with Doctors Without Borders. In addition, Liddie Martinez of SOC will speak about the “Wreaths Across America” program, and attendees may purchase a $15 holiday wreath which will be placed on the gravesites of veterans at Santa Fe National Cemetery on December 11.

When: 7:15 a.m.; participants usually begin arriving at 7 a.m.

Where: Otowi Building Cafeteria side rooms A, B, and C.

Flag-raising ceremony

What: Participating in this event will be Associate Director for Business Services Mark Barth; Mary Beth Stevens of the Ombuds Office, who will sing the National Anthem; Debbi Wersonick of Community Programs, who will lead the Pledge of Allegiance; Los Alamos High School's Junior Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps unit; and the SOC Honor Guard.

When: 8 a.m.

Where: At the three flag poles outside the Otowi building.

Fun run/walk

What: A 1.5-mile fun run/walk. The first 320 people who finish will receive a Veterans Day Fun Run shirt.

When: Noon; come a little early to register.

Where: In the Los Alamos Canyon, near the ice skating rink under Omega Bridge.

"Every year, we honor the sacrifices and commitment of our veterans, both those who have served and those who are currently serving our nation,” said Swingle. "On Veterans Day, we honor their professionalism and dedication to keep our country free."

The Laboratory will be closed on November 11 in observance of Veterans Day.

For more information on the November 9 events, contact Swingle at (505) 665-9305. To learn more about the "Wreaths Across America" program, contact Martinez at (505) 699-1323.