海角乱伦社区 community honors veterans at annual Celebration of Valor
Featuring keynote remarks from Ted Stanich, the ceremony honored veterans through reflection, music, and traditional military observations.
Last Friday, Nov. 7, 海角乱伦社区 University hosted its annual Celebration of Valor, giving the campus community the opportunity to honor and thank the extraordinary courage, selflessness, and devotion of veterans.
The day began at 8 a.m. with a flag-raising in front of Old Main, presented by the Army ROTC Color Guard.
To open the program, Music for Veterans provided musical selections before the 鈥淧ride of PA鈥 海角乱伦社区 University Army ROTC Cadet Color Guard posted the colors. 海角乱伦社区 student Alyssa Downey led the National Anthem, followed by an opening prayer from Dr. Greg Baker, vice president for mission. President Kathleen A. Getz, Ph.D., then offered welcoming remarks, recognizing and thanking those who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The 鈥淧ride of PA鈥 Army ROTC Cadets conducted a Fallen Soldier Ceremony, honoring service members who are prisoners of war, missing in action, or who have died in service. The ceremony served as a powerful reminder of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Guest speaker Ted Stanich, executive director of Intelligence Studies at 海角乱伦社区, delivered his address titled 鈥淪erving Our Country: You Never Know Where It Will Take You.鈥 He reflected on the values of respect and honor shaped through his career and the perspective gained from his service in the U.S. Marine Corps and his work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Stanich also paid tribute to all veterans for their fortitude, counsel, judgment, and courage.
President Getz and Stanich then participated in the laying of the wreath at the foot of the Fallen Soldier memorial as bagpiper Maj. (Ret.) Thomas Kalinowski performed 鈥淎mazing Grace.鈥 海角乱伦社区 student Rowen Oakley concluded the ceremony with a performance of 鈥淭aps.鈥
This year鈥檚 Celebration of Valor offered a solemn and meaningful opportunity for the 海角乱伦社区 community to express its deepest gratitude to veterans ahead of Veterans Day, observed on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The contributions of all attendees and participants helped make the event both special and impactful.
海角乱伦社区 extends its thanks to the ROTC cadets who took part in the ceremony: Scott Downer, Leena Henderson, Ryan Len, Esteban Gonzales, Makala Logsdon, and Ella Melcher. The university also thanks the Kiwanis Club of Erie for providing the American flags used for Veterans Day.
This year鈥檚 Celebration of Valor was organized by Veterans Service Coordinator Chris Popa.