Remembering veterans: Wall of Honor, limited edition chocolate, more
On Nov. 11, the United States celebrates Veterans Day, and Utah State University’s Logan campus has multiple events to commemorate it, ranging from a 24-hour vigil to two games honoring veterans to a limited-edition chocolate bar.
Veterans Day honors U.S. military veterans, with Nov. 11 being chosen for its significance as the First World War ended on November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m. It is referred to as Armistice Day outside of the U.S.
“Typically, veterans are considered the one percenters,” said Melissa Duce, the Veterans Integrated to Academic Leadership program coordinator at USU. “One percent of our population is willing and brave enough to join the military, and so it’s a special day to honor veterans and to thank them for their service.”
To commemorate veterans, USU released a limited-edition chocolate bar, holding ribbon cuttings on Oct. 31. The first was at 10 a.m. at the campus store and the second was at the Aggie Chocolate Factory at 2 p.m.
The chocolates have a design on them.
“The design does have an American flag and an eagle on it,” Duce said. “It’s a gift item that you can purchase for veterans you know. It’s nothing fancy flavor-wise, but it’s really the intent to honor veterans and just bring awareness.”
The chocolate is limited edition, with only 1,500 made, and proceeds from sales go to support student veterans.
Another event coming up is the Wall of Honor, which displays pictures of various currently-enrolled student veterans alongside any information they are willing to share about service.
“They can mention as much as they want or don’t want to,” said Paul Klimack, Army veteran and school certifying official for USU’s Veterans Resource Office. “They can just simply have their name on there if they want. But some will go into the whole bio, which is fine too.”
The Wall of Honor will begin to be displayed on Nov. 7 at the Taggart Student Center, will be digitally available on the VRO website and will be displayed at statewide campuses.
Two sporting events are planned as well: one football and one basketball. Both sporting events are planned to be veteran appreciation nights.
The football game will on Nov. 16 and will be against the University of Hawaii. Discount tickets will be offered to all military attendees, active or retired.
The basketball game, meanwhile, was on Nov. 9 against Charlotte. Discounted tickets to all military attendees was given at this game, and military personnel were asked to stand at a certain point. The game ball was gifted to the VRO, where it will be on display.
“We’re honoring their sacrifice during this time,” said Kennion Perkes, a flight commander for the Air Force ROTC at USU. “We fold the flag at that time, and we respectfully retire in the fire, to salute. We’re at attention. We’re really paying an honor to that individual.”
There will also be a 24-hour vigil held on the Quad starting at 7 a.m. For one-hour shifts, members of the Air Force ROTC will march around a set area in dress uniform and armed with a “rubber duck,” a dummy rifle used for drill.
“Each rifle guardsman will have a specific service member dedicated to them so they have the opportunity to read over that and really understand,” Perkes said.