Veterans Day at St. Andrews

In considering #VeteransDay here in my new surroundings, I learned some things about veterans and St. Andrews University that surprised me yet reinforced my appreciation for this place and for all veterans. I shared the following remarks with some colleagues here this morning and was asked to share more broadly - though it may be a little long, I encourage to read through to the last word - you'll see why when you get there. I welcome your feedback and ask you to join me today in honoring those who have served.

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Today we pause to celebrate Veterans Day. So, since we are on a campus of higher education, let's start with a brief history review.

Until the 1950s, November 11 was known as Armistice Day, commemorating the peace agreement which formally ended World War I. To be precise, the truce was at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 that the truce was signed. It was supposed to be the “war to end all wars.”

Fast forward a few decades and the "impossible" event occurred — World War II; a conflict that claimed the lives of 330,000 Americans and injured or maimed thousands of others.

In 1947, Raymond Weeks, a veteran in Birmingham, Alabama, proposed Veterans Day to honor not just the soldiers who had died, but those that survived and came home forever changed. He organized events and petitioned Congress for seven years. Finally in 1954, Congress passed the bill and President Eisenhower signed it into law.

So today, we take time as a nation to honor those who have donned a uniform and served this nation.

According to the Census bureau, there are approximately 18-19 million living US veterans – that's approximately 5 - 6% of the population, about one of every 20 citizens.

They are your coaches at little league, your teachers in middle school, your partner passing out food at the local food bank, and yes, sometimes that homeless guy living under the overpass. And unfortunately, among our younger vets, they are often a victim of suicide.

The U.S. has been involved in one overseas conflict or another since the beginning of the 21st century … Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom each lasted longer than the Vietnam War.

Longer wars, with fewer deaths but more long-term injuries, affect not just veterans, but their families and communities as well. Since 2001, soldiers have had longer deployments than at any other time, been redeployed more frequently, and been home for less time.

The suicide rate among veterans has been four times higher than deaths in combat since 2001, which medical experts have connected to the higher rates of PTSD.

As a retired USCG veteran, I am proud to have served – and honored to be able to continue to serve with you all here at St. Andrews.

The first thing I’d like you to take away with you today is that the Veterans that we are remembering are throughout this nation, in every walk of life, and often go without notice.

So, what about here at St. Andrews? Where are the Veterans? Well, I expect most are here in this room sharing breakfast this morning.

But, did you know that we have 56 veterans who are currently students, on-campus and on-line – if you were wondering and not able to do the math that quickly in your head, that is over 6% of our student body – yes, we are no different than the rest of our nation.

And, I learned something else recently that pleasantly surprised me. Across the lake in the Belk Center just outside the cafeteria are two plaques that were dedicated years ago to alumni and faculty who were also veterans. If you have not seen them, I encourage you to go by there and see for yourself.

That is the second thought I would like for you to take away with you – we are a school of veterans, past, present, and likely into the future.

Finally, a third thing I would like for you to take away with you today is the memory of our university family who have proudly served in uniform.

Following an old tradition, I would like to honor those who have served by speaking their names. Yes, I know that sounds more like Memorial Day, but indulge me and let’s honor that tradition today.

Ashley White ... she was part of the St. Andrews family – an athletic trainer working with our athletes … and she was also commissioned in the US Army as a Medical Services Corps Officer after her graduation from Kent State University in 2009. 1st Lt. Ashley White was killed during combat operations in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan on October 22, 2011 when the force she was traveling with triggered an improvised explosive device. Ashley was serving as a member of a Cultural Support Team assigned to the 230th Brigade Support Battalion, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina National Guard from Goldsboro, NC.

Ashley White.

And now I would like to end by reading the names of each veteran whose service is commemorated on those two plaques in Belk Center.

From Presbyterian Junior College, Gold Star veterans who died in service during World War II:

Edward E. Bell

Samuel R. Bowden

Earnest R. Calcote

C.A. Clyborne, Jr.

Guy W. Edgerton

Frank Fisler

Floyd Fitzler Fleming, Jr.

Ryland W. Henderson

Clifton W. Housley

John G. Hudgins

Charlie R. Lupton

Angus F. Lynch

James E. Morrison, Jr.

John H. Morrison

Thomas C. McAlister

Charles N. McArthur, Jr.

Thomas B. McCormick

John H. McIlwinen

George C. McKay

Richard G. McMillan

Lawrence L. Peterson

William A. Roach, Jr.

Albert B. Salley, Jr.

Guy Saunders

Earl Stutts

Edward Townsend

William S. Williams, Jr.

From Flora MacDonald College, faculty and students who answered the call to the colors in World War II:

Anne K. Bland

Catherine Boegli

Annie M. Brewer

Edith Bugg

Esther Bundy

Marian Burgess

Mima Stiles Byrne

Linda French Crooks

Constance Crowe

Alma McB. Demarest

J.E. Dovell

Lucille Fogleman

Jean Gaitley

Margaret Gibbs

Ann Gracey

Sarah Grantham

Nina Green

Dr. E.A. Hammond

Rachel Herring

Nancy Inscoe

Susan Inscoe

Bernetta L. Johnson

Bryan Johnson

Martha Kendrick

Annie Law

Mildred Mason

Katherine Monroe

Bertha Moore

Katherine Sue Moore

Helen Morrison

Ella Rose McEachin

Geraldine McGeath

Margaret McKenzie

Robert McKenzie

Jean McLean

A.H. McLeod, Jr.

Margaret Onkst

Jay Harold Ostwalt

Irene Roycroft

Eunice Saunders

Loca Bain Shadwell

Dorothy Thomas Sims

Faye B. Slaughter

Lillian Snowden

Lena Stewart

Dr. A.B. Stump

Dr. M. Stirewalt

Amanda R. Steedly

Eleanor Sugg

Nellie J. Summers

Frances Thomas

Mabel Townsend

Catherine Willcox

Mary Winecoff