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Come together to honor – and support – our veterans

Next week, our University and our nation will come together to honor the people who have served and sacrificed as members of the United States armed forces. The University of Washington is proud to honor all veterans, especially the students, faculty, staff, alumni and parents who are part of our UW family. Throughout the week leading up to our annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony on Monday, November 11, we are hosting events across our three campuses to celebrate our veterans and help our community better understand how to support our friends and colleagues who have served. I hope you will take a moment to see how you can join in.

As is our tradition, at Monday’s ceremony we will recognize the Distinguished Alumni Veteran Award (DAVA) recipient, which this year is the Hon. Ronald E. Cox, J.D. ’73. A graduate of West Point who earned three Bronze Stars during his service in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, he enrolled at the UW School of Law in search of a way to help resolve conflicts without violence. He went on to practice law as a litigator with the Seattle law firm Preston, Gates and Ellis, becoming the firm’s first African American partner, before being appointed to the bench. He served on the Washington State Court of Appeals for 23 years. Throughout his service in the Army and the justice system, Judge Cox has embodied the UW’s mission of impact for the public good, and we are proud to honor him as this year’s DAVA.

To all who have served and are serving, the UW strives to be a place that welcomes you and meets your specific needs. You are valued and appreciated for what you’ve done and for the enormous potential you bring to the UW community. If you need support, please know that our Office of Student Veteran Life, which was created to address the needs of student veterans and active-duty service members and their families, is there for you.

Together, we are proud to honor the veterans and service members who have given so much for our country, including many who mourn comrades and loved ones who gave their lives. To all who have served, thank you – we are here to support you in your continuing journey.