Monmouth College will honor Veterans Day with an evening event on Nov. 11 featuring State Representative Dan Swanson, a retired Illinois Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and Iraq War veteran.
The free event, titled *A Monmouth College Salute to Veterans*, begins at 7 p.m. in the Veterans Memorial Great Room on the main level of the Center for Science and Business. Swanson will serve as emcee and lead a panel discussion with six veterans and military-affiliated guests.
Monmouth College President Patricia Draves will open the program, which also includes patriotic music from the Fighting Scots Marching Band.
Panelists include: - Ryan Bronaugh, a 2012 Monmouth graduate and Navy veteran with tours in Iraq, Kosovo, and Africa.
- Alfonso Mares ’28, a current student and member of the Reserve Officers Training Corps from Chicago.
- Joe Switzer, Monmouth Police Chief and Iraq War veteran who served in the U.S.
Army from 1987 to 2008.
- Cheri Stanton, a U.S. Navy air traffic controller from 1966 to 1969.
- Rita Cross, a Gold Star mother whose son, Sgt. First Class Kyle Werhle, died in Iraq.
- Andy Davis, retired Army first sergeant, former Monmouth campus safety director, and volunteer football coach.
Swanson enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard in 1977 and was commissioned in 1986. After retiring in 2001, he was recalled twice for active duty: in 2007 to serve in Iraq with the Multi-National Security Transition Command, earning the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge, and in 2010 to lead a mission transition team at the Army Sustainment Command. He returned to retirement in 2013.
Since 2017, Swanson has represented his district in the Illinois House of Representatives. He currently chairs the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, a bipartisan appointment by Speaker Chris Welch.
The event follows the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps, founded Nov. 10, 1775.
The public is invited to attend this tribute honoring veterans from multiple generations and branches of service.
