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Celebrating 50 years
(12/19/03) Hear ye! Hear ye! The NIU Veterans Club will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2004. It all started for us with a fine group of military veterans coming back home from the front lines in Korea in 1954. It wasn't long before they realized that they shared something they're fellow, civilian classmates didn't. They were a little "different". So they got together and started the Veterans Club. Thanks to our founding fathers, we too share a valuable diversion from the monotony of studying. Throughout 2004, we'll look forward to special events commemorating our golden anniversary. And it all culminates with Homecoming in October. So mark your calendars!

Join us for tailgating!
(11/17/03) NIU will host its annual Military/Veterans Appreciation game on Nov. 22,  and you're invited to join the Vets Club for some righteous tailgating. Just look for the green Army in the tailgating area on the East side of Huskie Stadium beginning around 10:00am CDT. We'll have our grills going and plenty to drink. Bring family and friends. As always, everyone is welcome. And if you're interested, NIU's also going to be playing football, as they host Eastern Michigan for a 1:05pm CDT kickoff.

Veterans Day Recap
> Photo gallery
> Northern Star article
(11/12/03) The 2004 Veterans Day ceremony was a great success, with nice weather and good attendance. Those that gathered around the Veterans Memorial at 11:00 shared in honoring our nation's military community and their contribution to our way of life. As part of the event, the NIU Veterans Club rededicated the memorial to NIU, who rebuilt the deteriorating base of the flagpole earlier this year.

Homecoming Recap
> Homecoming 2003 photo gallery.
(10/20/03) Homecoming 2003 was a resounding success. The weather was around 70-degrees and sunny. NIU's undefeated football remained so by beating up Western Michigan 37-10 in front of a sell-out crowd. The Veterans Club hosted its tailgating party on the North field with the familiar big green Army tent. There were three grills going full-time and plenty to drink. But, by far, the best part of Homecoming was reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. Between active, alums, and their families and friends, the headcount was around 80-100 this year and represented all eras from our founding fathers to current day newbies. In addition to the group of annual regulars, we welcomed back alums such as  Ralph Wallis, Al Tiffin, John Nevenhoven, and Jim Long. Following the football game and tailgating, the party continued long into the night at Jon Lehuta's home in DeKalb (thanks, Jon!).

Many thanks to everyone who helped make Homecoming such a terrific success, including the Actives, faculty advisor and alum Jon Lehuta, Dan "The Man" Craig, and Tom Erdmann.  Thanks to the NIU veterans fraternity, Delta Omnicron Sigma, for  participating with us. And thanks to everyone who attended this year and shared in the celebration. We hope to see you all again next year!

NIU Veterans Memorial
(10/17/03) Over the years, the cement base of the flagpole has become cracked and discolored. In light of this, we're happy to announce that NIU has unilaterally donated a brand new base to the memorial's flagpole base in addition to some very attractive landscaping. The memorial, site of our annual Veterans Day ceremony, is located on the SE corner of College Ave and Castle Drive. Feel free to stop by and marvel.  

Spring awards presented
(5/6/03) The NIU Veterans Club recognized the hard work and dedication of a select few at the annual Spring Picnic on April 25. Recognition included:

• Albert S. King Leadership Award - Pete Fornek
• Certificates of Appreciation - Brian Murphy, Darin Lilly, Mark Mueller
• Honorary Member - Melonie McCauly

Navy/Marines dominate Toilet Bowl
(1/27/03) On a cold January 26, on a snow covered field outside of NIU's Huskie Stadium, the team of Navy and Marine Corps vets handed the Army and Air Force team a major ass-whoopin'. The final score was 35-0, and the winning team included alums Chris Rees, Steve Devlin, Eddie Zapata and Dave Hegg. The not-winning team included actives Jenny Webster and Pete Fornek, along with alums Greg Hartman, Pat Shanahan and Mark Mueller.

This year, cold weather and some snow kept attendance down and shortened the game, but those that played had a lot of fun. The Toilet Bowl has been a Veterans Club tradition since 1969. The winning team inscribes their score onto the toilet seat trophy and has official bragging rights for one calendar year. Check this web site soon for some pictures of the event.

From president Jenny Webster: "I would like to thank everyone who participated and contributed to the Toilet Bowl and the Super Bowl festivities on Sunday. Congrats to the Marines/Navy team! The Army/Air Force team looks forward to beating you at Bowling Bowl on Thursday!"

Pics [ Action1 : Action2 : Winners : Group : Warming up : Flushed ]