High Point University Draws Thousands for 15th Annual Veterans Day Celebration
High Point University will host its 15th annual Veterans Day Celebration on Friday morning, a free program billed as one of the nation’s largest campus events honoring veterans. The ceremony, beginning at 8 a.m. with a complimentary breakfast, is expected to draw more than 2,500 veterans and community members and will feature U.S. Army veteran Edward Graham and singer Lee Greenwood.
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High Point University’s campus in Guilford County will again become a regional focal point for Veterans Day observance when the school holds its 15th annual Veterans Day Celebration Friday morning. Organizers describe the free program as one of the largest campus-based Veterans Day events in the nation; it begins at 8 a.m., includes a complimentary breakfast, and will welcome U.S. Army veteran Edward Graham, chief operating officer of Samaritan’s Purse, alongside country singer Lee Greenwood, best known for “God Bless the USA.”
The university expects to exceed last year’s attendance figure of about 2,500 veterans and community members, signaling sustained and growing local engagement with veterans’ issues and commemorative events. For Guilford County, the influx of attendees represents both a symbolic and tangible local impact: large-scale ceremonies emphasize community support for veterans while increasing demand for campus logistics, traffic management, and nearby services.
From an economic standpoint, events that draw thousands into a concentrated area produce short-term boosts to local spending on food, gas, and possibly lodging for out-of-town guests. They also require coordination among campus facilities, municipal public safety, and volunteer networks to manage parking, pedestrian flows, and accessibility for older veterans. The scale of the HPU event underscores the need for local planners to consider Veterans Day in scheduling and resource allocation, particularly as attendance trends upward.
Civic and philanthropic attention may also follow. The presence of a national humanitarian leader from Samaritan’s Purse and a nationally recognized performer raises the profile of the event beyond the immediate community, which can translate into heightened media coverage and increased awareness of local veteran services. For county agencies and nonprofits that serve veterans, such visibility can create opportunities to connect residents with benefits, health services, and volunteer programs.
Long-term trends in Guilford County point toward stronger public engagement with veteran populations as the region’s civic calendar increasingly includes large-scale commemorations. Sustained turnout at HPU’s ceremony over 15 years reflects a durable community practice that bonds civic institutions, faith-based and nonprofit actors, and the veteran community itself. For policymakers and local service providers, the recurring large attendance should factor into planning for outreach, transportation, and emergency services on and around future Veterans Day observances.
Residents planning to attend should expect a large crowd and make use of campus guidance on parking and arrivals. For the wider community, the event offers both a public expression of gratitude and a reminder of the persistent need for accessible services and civic supports for those who served.
