Supporters run to honor veterans at Western

By Alyssa J. Trager
Staff Reporter

Light snow covered the ground as runners charted a three mile course to commemorate military veterans, prisoners of war and those missing in action.

The Veterans Day celebration, held by the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, started with a speech by Stephanie Boltrick, a graduate assistant for the office, and a salute to the national anthem. To her left, a student held the United States national flag as it moved with the morning’s brisk wind. The speech was followed by a three mile run around campus.

“Those serving know the sweetness of peace is tainted by enduring sacrifice,” Boltrick said.

The Office of Military and Veterans Affairs wanted the day to be spent in support of those that have served in the military and for everyone to take the time to thank those that have and will serve our country. Boltrick motioned towards a table with a white cloth, a rose and other items laid out including a glass turned upside down. The table was set up in remembrance of POW/MIA.

Boltrick explained the layout of the table. There was only one chair, saved but empty, symbolizing the hope of the return of the missing soldiers. The table cloth was white to show the purity of their call to arms. The lone candle on the table represented the frailty of a prisoner alone standing up to the power of his or her oppressors. Finally, the black ribbon around the candle shed light on those that will not be returning home.

The rose placed by the candle was set to remind us of the loved ones and families of the soldiers who keep faith and await their return. The lemon placed on a bread plate was used to show the bitter fate if we do not bring them home and the salt represents all the fallen tears. The single glass is faced down, representative of the absence of their toast with us today, perhaps tomorrow.

To conclude the section on POW/MIA soldiers the playing of “Taps” was sounded through the speakers.

“This is a pretty standard procedure,” said Tracy Moon the director for the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs. “The entire script is spoken almost verbatim at all honorary events.”

After the audience regained composure and cleared their eyes, a group of runners gathered behind the POW/MIA flag and the U.S. national flag.

The event finished with breakfast and coffee congregated in the Wesley Foundation’s basement.  The runners returned roughly 25 minutes later.

The Office of Military and Veterans Affairs wants to promote positive awareness of veterans on campus.  Currently, a combination of more than 500 enlisted military members and veterans on are enrolled on WMU’s campus. In the 2010-2011 enrollment year, 184 were new admissions.

According to the office, Western Michigan University has been recognized three times for being a top military-friendly school and has many services available for any individuals faced with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The Office of Military and Veterans Affairs plans on doing the event again next year .

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=28634

Posted by Ajcoop on Nov 14 2011. Filed under Campus, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

AJ Coop