Rooted in tradition: University of Rhode Island honors veterans through celebratory event Nov. 10

KINGSTON, R.I. – Nov. 4, 2025 – In honor of Veterans Day, the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Military and Veteran Education will host its annual Veterans Day observance. All members of the URI community as well as the general public are welcome to gather from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10, at the URI Alumni Center, 73 Upper College Road, Kingston.

Col. Sharon Harmon, the first Black soldier to achieve the rank of colonel in the Rhode Island National Guard, will be a featured speaker during the University of Rhode Island’s Veterans Day Observance. Harmon (center) poses with State Director of Veterans Services Kasim Yarn, R.I. Gov. Dan McKee, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos and Maj. Gen. Chris Callahan at her promotion ceremony in August 2022. (R.I. National Guard Photo)

The event will begin with a welcome from URI President Marc Parlange and speakers including Col. Sharon Harmon (Ret.), the first Black colonel in the Rhode Island National Guard, and URI student veteran Lidell Booysen, who was formerly a sonar tech in the Navy. Held in collaboration with URI’s Student Veteran Organization, the event is held to remember the service of veterans and thank them for their sacrifice.

Among the many alumni in attendance will be Carolyn (Pratten) Spinney, a 95-year-old U.S. Air Force veteran. Spinney, who will receive special recognition during the event, enlisted in the Air Force in 1951, serving as first lieutenant and nurse specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. While stationed on base, she met her husband and settled in Rhode Island to raise three children. As a URI student from 1969-73, she has fond memories of her time on campus and her love for learning.

“We are honored to have Colonel Harmon and Lieutenant Spinney at our observance this year. Both of them have contributed so much to our country, state and community,” said MAVE Director Bob Flynn. “This is an opportunity for the URI community to ensure that we don’t forget and to take a day to acknowledge the sacrifices of those in the service—past and present.”

URI’s Center for Military and Veteran Education supports URI’s student veterans and their families. The center provides comprehensive resources, advocacy, and guidance to help students ensure a seamless transition and success in their academic life and career advancement. URI enrolls around 300 military-connected students, including active and veteran service men and women, with around 200 military dependents. In addition, more than 300 members of the faculty and staff at URI are affiliated with at least one branch of the military. URI has been recognized as a Top 10 Military Friendly University and as a Military Friendly Spouse School.

URI also has an active and connected student veteran community. Andrew Ebrahimpour, president of URI’s Student Veteran Organization, says one of his organization’s main goals is to help student veterans connect with one another and the greater URI community.

“One of the best ways to support veterans as a whole is just to open the lines of communication,” said Ebrahimpour. “Asking them simple questions to get them talking about what they have done truly helps with understanding and connecting.”

URI’s Student Veteran Organization will host its annual Military Ball on Nov. 15. at the Memorial Union and will send invitations to military-connected groups at other schools. Last year, the organization hosted the first military ball and it was such a success, MAVE has made it an annual event.

Admission to the ball is free, but RSVPs are recommended.

This story was written by Kiera Wrage, a senior majoring in public relations at the University of Rhode Island. Kiera is interning in URI’s Department of Communications and Marketing.