East Tennessee State University celebrated Veteran’s Day with a solemn ceremony in Brooks Gym Monday. During the ceremony ETSU’s Reserve Officer Training Corps presented the U.S. Colors and a wreath in memory of veterans.
ETSU Veteran Affairs Office Director Col. Antonio Banchs said of the event, “It is a time for us to essentially take a knee, to pause for a moment and reflect on those who have elected to serve; and honoring their decision to be a part of something greater than themselves.”
The Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Club, sitting front row, represented the World War II veterans. Also In attendance were veterans from multiple wars involving the U.S. including Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm/Shield and the Global War on Terrorism. Current and past veteran students were in the crowd honoring those who have served.
Lt. Gen. Kathleen Gainey was the Honorary Guest Speaker at the event. She kept her words brief and elevated selfless-service above the other traits of military service during her remarks.
“That is something that I want to grow for that future generation, one that maybe serves in the military or serves some other service related organization,” Gainey said in an interview.
Col. Banchs said the event was a success. He was emotional when delivering his words of remembrance. Col. Banchs works directly with veterans transitioning back into civilian life. In his role at ETSU he sees first hand some struggles that face transitioning service members and continues his service to them.
When asked how the event went Col. Banchs said, “It was fantastic. I mean between the choir from University School, the band from ETSU, the ROTC Honor Guard, It was absolutely beautiful. To have Lt. Gen. Gainey impart her words and give us four things that we need to do as we go from here. It gave us a sense of purpose, or a renewed sense of purpose; to seek out veterans, seek opportunities for selfless service and encourage others to do selfless service and acts like that.”
The University School Choir was in attendance. The choir sang from “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor” and members of the ETSU band played music. Songs included the Star Spangled Banner, the Army Song and a playing of Taps as a wreath was placed in front of the colors in honor of all those who have served.
Vietnam veteran M.B. Pruitt may have said it best after the ceremony by simply saying;
“Hang in there men.”
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