Advisory: Marquette experts, stories for Memorial Day

May 26, 2021

American Flag on GesuMILWAUKEE — With the Memorial Day holiday weekend approaching, Marquette University has experts and story ideas available for the media.

ROTC, military science

ROTC at Marquette dates to 1940 when the first unit was established by the Navy. Today, the Golden Eagle Battalion is also represented by Army and Air Force units, partnering with other schools in the area, including UW-Milwaukee, UW-Parkside, Milwaukee School of Engineering and Concordia University. Five Golden Eagle Battalion Army ROTC alumni have lost their lives in service to the nation. One of the five is honored each year in competition and with a wreath laying ceremony around competition season. This year, the Golden Eagle Battalion dropped two wreaths at the picture of Col. Gerald Clark, Marquette graduate of 1966.

Lt. Col. John Kiriazis is the professor of military science for the Golden Eagle Battalion. He can be reached at ioannis.kiriazis@marquette.edu.

Memorial Day history

Memorial Day traces its origins back to the Civil War and Decoration Day. Dr. James Marten, professor of history, can offer a historical perspective on the holiday and its origins, as well as the history of soldiers’ homes and other veterans issues. He can be reached at james.marten@marquette.edu.

Memorial Day vacation rental market

Dr. Anthony Pennington-Cross is the Robert B. Bell, Sr. Chair in Real Estate and has done research on short-term and vacation rental services such as Airbnb. He can discuss the impact of increased COVID-19 vaccinations and lessened restrictions surrounding the pandemic on vacation rentals, as well as the expected impact on the Memorial Day extended weekend market. Pennington-Cross can be reached at anthony.pennington-cross@marquette.edu.

Consumer trends

Dr. Felicia Miller, chair and professor of marketing, can speak to consumer trends surrounding Memorial Day and what they could look like this year due to the changing dynamics of the pandemic. She can be reached at felicia.miller@marquette.edu.

About Kevin Conway

Kevin Conway

Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of University Relations. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.