Veterans’ service to country honored
A 13-gun salute, symbolizing each of the major conflicts soldiers from USU have been involved in, was fired Tuesday, part of USU’s Veteran’s Day celebration on the TSC Patio.
The ceremony titled, A Moment of Reflection, honored veterans with the gun salute, tributes, the playing of taps and the raising of the American flag.
“From the cradle we are taught to honor and respect veterans,” said Jackson Olsen, ASUSU executive vice president. “They sacrificed for each and everyone of us, whether we recognize it our not.”
Cadet Jacob Gadd spoke of his grandfather serving in World War II, publicly thanking his grandfather and all other veterans past and present for their service to his country, calling them the “many who have answered the call to serve.”
He said he feels the people serving their country are often seen as older and more mature but in reality they are “boys doing the best they can to serve this country.”
Gadd told the audience stories of his grandfather’s experiences during the war including trading his cigarette rations for pies and a few of the horrors he saw as a soldier.
“War is often glamorized and romanticized but war is hell,” Gadd said. “These (veterans) have done this for us.”
Gadd said his hope is veterans and the troops will be remembered more often than just one day a year on Veteran’s Day. Veterans should be “saluted” every day for their services to America, he said.
“May God bless this country that patriotism will never die,” Gadd said.
Gadd’s speech was preceded by children from the Thomas Edison Charter School in Logan singing and signing songs in American Sign Language to honor the veterans.
–debrajoy.h@aggiemail.usu.edu
The Army ROTC took part in Tuesday’s flag ceremony by firing the salute. The Army ROTC was joined by the Air Force ROTC, who completed the flag ceremony. (Debra Hawkins)
Children from the Thomas Edison Charter School and others were in attendance for the memorial. (Debra Hawkins)
USU ROTC cadets participate in the flag-raising ceremony. (Debra Hawkins)