Ahead of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, IU Indianapolis Today is highlighting campus events that will be held in conjunction with the federal holiday, as well as resources that are available, many year-round, to military-connected members of the campus community.

Veterans service officer

New this fall, a veterans service officer is on campus every Tuesday through at least the end of the 2025-26 academic year.

Timothy Martinez. Photo provided by Timothy Martinez Indianapolis native Timothy Martinez joined the Marines after graduating from Lawrence Central High School in 2004, and he served deployments in Iraq, Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines. In addition to his VSO role with IU Indianapolis, Martinez is a veterans service officer for the Indianapolis mayor’s office.

“Tim is well-connected throughout military community service organizations and has a strong track record of advocating for veteran causes and helping veterans transition to civilian life,” said Tyler Cason, director of Military-Connected Student Services at IU Indianapolis. “His expertise and experience will help students navigate things like service-connected disability claims, and his presence on campus will make such support more accessible.”

After leaving the Marines in 2008, Martinez served in the Indiana National Guard and worked as a Department of Defense contractor.

Students, staff and faculty can connect with Martinez by visiting the Military-Connected Student Services office in Campus Center Room CE268 on Tuesdays, emailing timothy.martinez@indy.gov or calling 317-519-4787.

Veterans Day events

An annual flag-raising ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 11 in Taylor Courtyard to recognize and commemorate the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans.

Veterans Day flag-raising ceremony at IU Indianapolis on Nov. 11, 2024. Photo by Liz Kaye, Indiana University After the ceremony, Military-Connected Student Services will host a breakfast to honor students, staff and faculty who are veterans or service members. An RSVP is requested to attend.

The campus community is invited to gather in the Campus Center TV Lounge at 10:30 a.m. to walk together to the Indiana War Memorial, where the city’s Veterans Day ceremony with guest speakers, wreath laying and Indiana National Guard flyover will begin at 11 a.m. The Veterans Day parade will follow at noon.

Additional events the week of Veterans Day include a women veterans panel from 3 to 4 p.m. Nov. 12 in the Campus Center Theater and a military-connected career and networking fair from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 13 in the Campus Center TV Lounge.

Year-round resources

Military-Connected Student Services is a centralized place that provides comprehensive resources, like assistance with applying for military-related benefits. It also provides support from staff and peers with shared military experiences, individually and through groups like American Legion Post 360, Student Veterans Organization, and Veterans and Military Student Association at McKinney.

Support and camaraderie among veterans are not limited to students on campus. The IU Indianapolis Veterans Faculty and Staff Council holds a monthly social hour at the American Legion and hosts a monthly brown bag lunch in the Campus Center.