Heidelberg saluted the service and sacrifices of all veterans, past and present, during the annual Veterans Day ceremony this morning. The ceremony was organized by Student Senate.
The ceremony began with the singing of the National Anthem by junior music major David Carey. Those in attendance observed a moment of silence for alumnus Jim Roberts, ’65, former sheriff, city councilman and United Veterans Council representative, who died in September. Jim had been a mainstay at past Veterans Day ceremonies for years, leading the UVC color guard.
Following opening remarks by Dean of Student Affairs Chris Abrams, Student Senator and junior Tess Connors spoke about the numerous veterans in her family, including her grandfather who served in the Korean War.
Her grandpa, Tess said, never spoke about his service until later in life, when her brother told the family he was interested in enlisting in the military. It was at that time that he showed Tess and her family a box of items he had saved from his time in Korea – uniforms and medals he earned. “We think he’d be proud of my brother,” said Tess, who family of veterans also includes an uncle who served in Korea, an uncle who served in Vietnam and an uncle who was a paramedic stateside.
“Each has a different view of his time in the military and each gave something in service,” she said.
Campus Chaplain Paul Sittason Stark delivered a prayer for peace. “Today we seek peace in the world as a way to honor all of our veterans,” Paul said. “Veterans of past wars, those who have served in times of peace, current reserves and active duty.”
The ceremony concluded with a solemn playing of “Taps” by junior music major Ryan Reilly.