Celebrating heroes

Campus honors veterans

AP PHOTO President Clinton lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in honor of Veterans Day yesterday.

By Jewel Gopwani
Daily Staff Reporter

The Army, Navy and Air Force ROTC units publicly recognized Veterans Day yesterday in a colorful ceremony to honor those who fought for the United States, and those currently preparing for similar missions.

"It was pretty inspirational," said first-year Engineering student and Air Force cadet Neil Moser.

At 8 a.m., ROTC members began Veterans Day with a short flag ceremony at North Hall. After raising the U.S. flag and the POW MIA flag, two Navy midshipmen played "Taps" for veterans missing in action and fallen soldiers.

From North Hall, ROTC continued its ceremony with a march to Rackham Auditorium, where it presented an impressive list of speakers.

LSA senior Joshua Hammond, a midshipman in the Navy, and alumnus Erich Krumrei, a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps, created the ceremony last year under the guidance of Associate Vice Provost of Academic and Multicultural Affairs Lester Monts.

"Our task today it to remember these heroes that risked their lives for future generations," said Ann Arbor Mayor Ingrid Sheldon, who spoke at the event.

Rep. Lynn Rivers (D-Ann Arbor) contributed to the ceremony with the question, "What is a hero?" She answered her question by mentioning qualities the military calls for. A hero is "someone who volunteers and swallows their fear ... in many cases these are ordinary people who found extraordinary courage."

Hammond welcomed Rivers and Sheldon to the ceremony. "They have always been supportive of veterans in the area," Hammond said.

The ceremony also featured four veterans who conveyed messages of honor and esteem for the men and women involved in the ROTC.

"We see ourselves in you," said Korean War Marine Corps veteran, Victor Stevens. "We know that through you, our efforts are undiminished."

Vietnam War Marine Corps veteran Bill Lowe focused on his experience after the war. Lowe said he underwent taunting that caused him to doubt his veteran pride.

"Speaking at ceremonies such as this has been a therapy," Lowe said. "I owe you guys, the veteran pride I feel now is due to you."

The two final speakers offered more words of wisdom to the men and women in the audience entering the military.

"You will be asked to defend our country at the will of our president and congress," said Vietnam War Navy veteran Gary Lillie. "The best preventative medicine we have for war is a well-trained service."

Persian Gulf War Army veteran Wesley Bollman spoke about the need for preparation in the armed forces.

"You never know what the future will bring," Bollman said.

The morning's events evoked an emotional response from members of the ROTC.

"It made me feel really nervous on one hand, to uphold the tradition and standard they set," Hammond said. "And on the other hand, it filled me with a lot of pride to be a part of the family of the military."

Audience members took each speaker's message to heart. "It helps us to appreciate the sacrifices that they have made," said LSA junior and Air force cadet Brock Husby. "It helps us to remember our roots."

The ceremony also gave the audience an image of life after fighting in the armed forces. "It meant a lot because one day this is going to be me," said Army cadet and LSA sophomore Melissa Kinney.

11-12-98