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EVENT: Veterans Day Ceremony
(10/08/04) Everyone is invited to join us in honoring our nation's military community this Thursday, November 11, at 11:00am Central. The one hour ceremony will take place at the NIU veterans memorial flagpole at the south east corner of College Ave and Castle Drive. The ceremony will feature VIP speakers, the NIU Army ROTC honor guard, and recognition of veterans' service to our way of life. For more information, please contact Jenny Webster at (815) 758-2324.

RECAP: Homecoming Weekend
(10/08/04) If you missed this event, you missed a lot. It started with a bang on Friday night, October 15, with the 50th Anniversary banquet. More than 80 alums and actives gathered at the Holmes Student Center to celebrate our golden anniversary. We were treated with a terrific group of "old guys", the founding fathers responsible for creating our legacy. They came as far away as New York and Florida and brought with them some fantastic stories of the good 'ole days. Mark Mueller (um, that's me actually) treated the group to a pictorial walk down memory lane with photos going back to the fifties and presented alums and actives with custom-minted challenge coins.  Alum Aaron Kozak, now an active duty Army captain and Iraq war veteran, won the raffle for the #001/100 coin, while fund raising from generous alums brought in $250 for the actives.

Saturday brought the annual tailgating festivities at the Vets Club tent next to the stadium. More than a hundred alums and their families braved the chilly day to visit with old friends and make new ones. There was plenty of food and drink, football squares, and reminiscing. And let's not forget that our beloved Huskie football team easily defeating Central Michigan. Following the football game, the group dispersed to their favorite watering holes and continued the celebration. If you missed this memorable weekend, we hope you join us next year. The Vets Club never misses Homecoming.

Welcome Jason Vallone, incoming Treasurer
(9/18/04) The Vets Club welcomes a new officer, Jason Vallone. Jason, an Army veteran and sophomore Business Management major, takes over the esteemed post of club treasurer. 

BIG EVENT: Homecoming 2004, Oct 16
(9/18/04) NIU's annual Homecoming activities will be held on October 16, 2004. As per the usual, the day will kick off with tailgating at Noon at the green Army tent in the official Tent-a-Gate area just north of the Huskie stadium. NIU will then host Central Michigan for an exciting football game at the stadium; kickoff will be at 15:05. At half time, NIU will formally recognize the Veterans Club, NIU's oldest active student-run organization, on-field.  Following the football game, the good times will continue with a post-game party and bar hopping. Bring some chairs, some food, and whatever you like to drink. BBQ grills will be available for everyone's use. Families are absolutely welcome and encouraged to attend. More details click here.

BIG EVENT: 50th Anniversary Banquet, Oct 15
(9/18/04) To recognize and celebrate our 50th Anniversary, the Vets Club will host a banquet on the evening of Friday, October 15, from 18:30 to midnight at the Blackhawk Room of the Holmes Student Center at NIU. To commemorate the event, we will be minting a golden anniversary challenge coin. Alumni from all over the country will descend on NIU to celebrate this very important event, with attendance expected to be approximately 100.

Newest Graduates, Now Alumni
(5/25/04) The Vets Club congratulates our recent graduates and newest alumni: Darin Lilly and Tony Marrero. Darin is a former Vets Club president and graduated this month. Tony, former club officer, will graduate this August and has taken a job in Milwaukee as a Military Public Health Technician. Tony will be moving his family to Kenosha in mid-May. We wish these two members the very best in everything they do.

Spring 2004 Awards
(5/1/04)  The Vets Club recognizes the following outstanding achievements for the Spring 2004 semester. Kudos to everyone!

* Pete Fornek - Certificate of Appreciation
* Darin Lilly - Albert S. King Leadership Award; MVP Award for highest individual score at Bowling Bowl
* Tony Marrero - Certificate of Appreciation MVP Award for most touchdowns scored at Toilet Bowl
* Jon Lehuta - Certificate of Appreciation

We extend congratulations to the following members:
* Darin Lilly Spring 2004 graduate
* Tony Marrero Summer 2004 graduate
* Bonnie Merrit Commissioned Army 2LT as of May 8

We bid farewell to the following members:
* Pete Fornek
* Darin Lilly
* Tony Marrero

EVENT: Friday Fest, August 12
(4/30/04) If you're a military veteran either new to NIU or not yet familiar with the NIU Veterans Club, you're invited to stop by our table at NIU's Friday Fest event. Friday Fest is a day-long, annual event held the Friday prior to the start of the Fall semester where students can connect with student-run organizations on campus, like the Vets Club. Yes, your education is important. But your memories of your time at NIU will suck without some quality distractions, again like the Vets Club.

If you're an active Vets Club member already and available that day, we're for looking to staff the Vets Club table for any amount of time you may graciously donate, from an hour (much appreciated) to all day (you rock!). Please email Jen your availability and summer email or telephone number. 

EVENT: Memorial Day Weekend
(4/30/04) The Vet’s Club will be placing Flags on gravesite on Saturday. If you would like to help, please contact Jen.

On Monday (Memorial Day), we will be in the Memorial Day Parade in DeKalb. It starts by the Egyptian Theatre and end by the Ellwood House Museum. If you like to participate, please let Jen know before 15May. Last year there was a small lunch and a free tour of the Ellwood House. And we all went out for lunch afterwards.

New Officers Announced
(4/16/04) New officers were elected at the April 1 Role Call. Congrats to the following dedicated active members, who will begin their duties with the Fall '04 semester and server for a tour of one year.

President: Jenny Webster (back for more)
VP: Tom Tokarz
Secretary: Charles Kolliker
Treasurer: VACANT
Sgt-at-Arms: VACANT

RECAP: Bowling Bowl 2004 
(2/13/04) The Navy and Marine Corps team wins this one. Read the details.

RECAP: Toilet Bowl 2004
(2/11/04) USN/USMC vets stay home. Army v. USAF this year. Read the details.

BIG EVENT: Toilet Bowl 2004 on Feb. 1
(1/13/04) This is one of the Vets Club's biggest and most historic events of the year. Army and Air Force vets will line up against Navy and Marine Corps vets in our annual flag football game. It's usually cold. It's often snowy. And it's always a blast!

To the winner goes a year's worth of bragging rights and their winning score inscribed upon the venerable toilet seat trophy (yes, it's an actual toilet seat). And this year, the losers have to buy the first round at the bar after the game.

Look forward to this year's battle to start at 15:00 at the East lot next to Huskie Stadium. All participants must declare their allegiance and are encouraged to dress appropriately. A football, field markers, and flag sets will be provided. Feel free to bring your own cheerleaders or medical support staff.

Following the game, everyone is invited to Husky's Bar on Lincoln Hwy (just West of Annie Glidden) at 17:00 for the post-game roundup and to watch Super Bowl XXXVIII.