Participants take part in a past Veterans Day event at UW-River Falls. This year’s Veterans Day ceremony on campus is 11 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Nov. 9, in the University Center. UWRF file photo.

UW-River Falls to host Nov. 9 Veterans Day ceremony 

Main speaker will discuss how horses help veterans, others heal from trauma

Oct. 24, 2023 - The importance of military service, and helping military veterans heal from trauma they have experienced, will be honored during a Thursday, Nov. 9, Veterans Day ceremony at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Campus and community members are invited to the ceremony supporting veterans and active duty military service members. The event, from 11 a.m. to noon, is sponsored by the university’s Veterans Services Office in the Falcons Nest in the University Center, 501 Wild Rose Ave., River Falls. The ceremony is free and the public is invited.

The event will feature a keynote address by Toni Mattson, co-owner and director of programs at Trinity Equestrian Center of Eau Claire. Trinity uses horses as a means of providing therapy to military veterans and others. 

Recognizing military veterans is especially important given the sacrifices they make for their country, UWRF Veterans Coordinator Cheryl Grubb said. 

“Our students have agreed to put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms that we enjoy, and they deserve to be recognized,” Grubb said. 

Chancellor Maria Gallo said she is proud of UWRF students who are serving in the military. 

“This event is an opportunity to pay our respect to all of our military veterans who have given and continue to give so much of themselves to protect all of us,” Gallo said.

For more information, email veterans@uwrf.edu or call 715-425-3529.