Veterans Day Was Wet, Solemn On Campus

Two cadets stood guard at the cenotaph in the pouring rain. Cadets guarding the cenotaph and The Rock are all part of the Veterans Day events held by the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets.

“I think Veterans Day is always special to Virginia Tech because we’ve had so many folks who are veterans, but also that we have lost the 424 on our Pylons,” said Maj. Carrie Cox.

The Veterans Day ceremony began in the War Memorial Chapel. The colors were presented, and The Highty-Tighties, Virginia Techs’ Corps band, played the Star-Spangled Banner.

Maj. Gen. Jerry Allen, the commandant of cadets of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, spoke of past veterans of Virginia Tech who have given their lives for the country.

“When you enter the military, you don’t know if you’ll be called to combat or not. But you know that the possibility is very real, and everyone who serves our country is a hero in my mind,” said Allen.

After Allen’s speech, the service songs for each branch of the military were played to honor all veterans, whether in attendance or unable to join for the events. The colors were then retired, and the ceremony moved to the Pylons and the cenotaph. At 11 a.m., Virginia Tech President Charles Steger placed a maroon and orange wreath, with the words “Thank You For Your Service,” on a ribbon tied through the middle, upon the cenotaph. The Gregory Guard fired a rifle salute, thus ending the ceremony.

In addition to the morning Veterans Day ceremony, there was also a formal retreat for the entire Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets on the upper quad, a 48-hour vigil held by Echo Company on the Pylons, and a 24-hour vigil held by the Arnold Air Society at The Rock, according to Cox.

“This (the morning) ceremony is new this year. We have the vigil and the retreat ceremonies every year. This is the first year we’ve done a ceremony specifically inviting the veterans from Virginia Tech, or who go to school at Virginia Tech, or veterans in the community, being able to do something specifically for them,” said Cox.

The wreath placing at 11 a.m. holds a specific time due to the Armistice Hour. It is symbolic of the signing of the Armistice at the end of World War I. Veterans Day is celebrated to honor the signing on the 11^th hour, of the 11^th day, of the 11^th month, 1918.

Veterans Day 2009 falls near two recent events affecting the Virginia Tech community. On Oct. 26, 2009, Capt. David Seth Mitchell, a Virginia Tech alumnus (Class of 2001) lost his life in combat in Afghanistan. Virginia Tech has lost seven other former students to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Fort Hood, Texas shootings, which occurred on Nov. 5, 2009, has also affected Virginia Tech. The suspected gunman is an alumnus of Virginia Tech (Class of 1995) but was not a member of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets or a member of any ROTC.

“I think there is great meaning to the Virginia Tech community because these tragic events are so recent. (Capt.) Seth Mitchell and folks that lost their lives at Ft. Hood are all on our minds. But as these pylons indicate, people have been giving their lives for this nation for hundreds of years now,” Allen observed.

Mitchell’s name will be the 425^th name to be engraved onto the Pylons. The engraving will take place in April, according to Allen.

“Veterans Day is the day that we honor everyone who chose to serve our nation,” said Allen. “We need to honor everyone who serves.”