Tuesday, Nov. 11, military honors were rendered as NEIU celebrated Veterans Day with a day of speeches and tears.
The ceremony started out with the Marine Corps color guard parading and then posting the colors. Taps where played and echoed through out the brisk air. Veterans day commemorates all who have died while giving their lives to defend freedom and democracy. Formerly called Armistice Day after WWI, later President Eisenhower changed the name to Veterans Day to honor all military personnel who have served in combat. NEIU president Sharon Hahs and NEIU trustee Walter Dudycz, came to give their support and shared their feelings about why Veterans Day was important to them as well.
NEIU students from the Veterans Club who organized the event also gave speeches and told their own accounts of friends they have lost along the way and how Veterans Day meant to them. A notable appearance came from Joe Hertel, founder of the Peace Garden, who gave a heart felt speech on change and how it is due to the military that we are able to have change in our lives due to the lives lost to maintain our freedom in America. Respect the military and honor the ones who have sacrificed and never were given a chance to see the end result of their sacrifices, seemed to be the message displayed. The crowd was mixed with students, administration, military, and veterans all from different walks of life coming together to celebrate the most honorable day of the year, Veterans Day.