The University of North Dakota will be hosting Tony Drees, a former UND student and U.S. Army Purple Heart recipient, to speak in recognition of Veterans Day.

Drees will be speaking in the Memorial Union Ballroom at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 8.

During his presentation, “No Lies, No Excuses, Never Quit,” Drees will show his award-winning film, “One For All,” and talk about leadership, accessibility, equity and service in relation to the UND LEADS Strategic Plan.

Drees is a motivational speaker, life coach and adaptive athlete, representing several national organizations.

After growing up in Grand Forks, including graduating from Red River High School, Drees went on to serve in the U.S. Army during Operation Desert Storm.

In the deadliest missile attack of the war, which claimed the lives of 28 U.S. soldiers on Feb. 25, 1991, Drees was among the nearly 100 injured. The injuries to his right leg were especially severe, and over the next nine months, Drees underwent 58 surgeries.

Years later, a cancer diagnosis plus the lingering effects of Drees’ injuries required an amputation of the leg at the hip.

In 2019, he earned two gold medals and a bronze medal at the National Veteran’s Wheelchair Games.

Drees also served as executive director for Veterans Passport 2 Hop from 2017 to 2019, helping the organization raise $1.5 million and assist more than 17,000 veterans and their families.