photo by: Dmitry Martirosov/Journal-World

University of Kansas Chancellor Doug Girod speaks at the Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. Before becoming KU's leader, Girod served in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1982 to 1997.

Area residents on participated in a traditional wreath laying ceremony on the University of Kansas campus to honor veterans.

University leaders and KU ROTC members hosted the ceremony in front of Strong Hall on KU’s main Lawrence campus. The event included remarks from leaders, the posting of colors, a wreath laying and a ceremonial lowering of the flag at sunset.

photo by: Dmitry Martirosov/Journal-World

Members of the University of Kansas ROTC stand on the lawn in front of Strong Hall during the Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026.

photo by: Dmitry Martirosov/Journal-World

University of Kansas ROTC members with the U.S. Navy are pictured at the Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026.

photo by: Dmitry Martirosov/Journal-World

The Kansas City Kansas, Police pipe and drum band plays during the Veterans Day ceremony at the University of Kansas on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026.

photo by: Dmitry Martirosov/Journal-World

Curtis Marsh, a lecturer at the University of Kansas Department of Communications Studies, plays TAPS during the Veterans Day ceremony at the University of Kansas on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026.

photo by: Dmitry Martirosov/Journal-World

Lesly Dossett, director of the Institute for Surgical Sciences and Innovation at the University of Kansas Medical Center, speaks during the Veterans Day ceremony at the University of Kansas on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. Dossett served on active duty in the U.S. Navy in several roles, both stateside and overseas, including two deployments supporting combat operations in Afghanistan.

photo by: Dmitry Martirosov/Journal-World

An attendee is seen during the Veterans Day ceremony at the University of Kansas on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026.

photo by: Dmitry Martirosov/Journal-World

A University of Kansas ROTC member with the U.S. Air Force is pictured during the Veterans Day ceremony at the University of Kansas on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026.

photo by: Dmitry Martirosov/Journal-World

A member of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police pipe and drum band plays during the Veterans Day ceremony at the University of Kansas on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026.

photo by: Dmitry Martirosov/Journal-World

ROTC members with the U.S. Air Force, center, and U.S. Army, left, participate in the University of Kansas Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026.

photo by: Dmitry Martirosov/Journal-World

The American flag is seen at the University of Kansas in front of Strong Hall during the Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026.

photo by: Dmitry Martirosov/Journal-World

Captain Kent Smith speaks during the Veterans Day ceremony at the University of Kansas on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. “Our veterans deserve our esteem and our gratitude for their honor of character and commitment, for the honor of their selfless service and sacrifice,” Smith said.

photo by: Dmitry Martirosov/Journal-World

University of Kansas Chancellor Doug Girod attends the Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. Before becoming KU’s leader, Girod served in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1982 to 1997.

photo by: Dmitry Martirosov/Journal-World

Al Stuber flies his plane over the University of Kansas campus during the Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. Stuber, a retired Navy pilot, is a KU graduate with a doctorate in engineering.

photo by: Dmitry Martirosov/Journal-World

University of Kansas ROTC members with the U.S. Navy stand in front of Strong Hall during the Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026.