Navy veteran and Northern Michigan University student Connor Loftus will give a brief presentation at a ceremony honoring veterans at noon Saturday, Nov. 11, before the NMU home football game. NMU will recognize veterans at all of its home athletic events on Veterans Day. The kick-off ceremony will be held near the flagpole outside the Superior Dome’s main entrance, weather permitting, or inside. It will feature the presentation of colors by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Color Guard, the NMU marching band and recognition of NMU veteran students’ accomplishments.

Loftus is a Plainwell native who joined the Naval Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill., in July 2011. After completing boot camp, he transferred to Naval Air Station Pensacola for aviation professional apprenticeship career track training before joining the fleet.

Loftus received orders to join Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron One One Three (VAW-113), where he worked in the line division. After one year, he obtained the rating of Aviation Machinist Mate and was transferred to Aircraft Division to work in the Power Plants work center.

He received the command Blue Jacket of the Year award in 2013, Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist pin and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals. Loftus attained the rank of Aviation Machinist Mate Second Class (E-5) and was honorably discharged from the Navy in July 2015.

Loftus is a fisheries and wildlife management major with a concentration on wildlife. He is also pursuing a geographic information systems certificate. He is a member of the Student Veterans Association and Gamma Theta Upsilon International Geographical Honor Society. He is vice president of Associated Students of Northern Michigan University.

NMU is offering free admission to most Nov. 11 athletic events for each veteran and a guest, along with an opportunity to stand and be recognized at all competitions.

For more information on NMU Veterans Day activities, contact Mike Rutledge, coordinator of student veteran services, at 227-1331 or mrutledg@nmu.edu.