University honors Veterans Day

Sarah Mead

Staff Writer

smead@murraystate.edu

On Nov. 11, Murray State celebrated Veterans Day by honoring the Armed Forces with a ceremony and remembrance display.

The veterans’ ceremony occurred in the Curris Center Theatre at 3 p.m. The Reserve Officers Training Corps Color Guard started the ceremony with the presentation of colors while the Racer Men’s Choir sang the National Anthem.

Tim Todd, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, opened the ceremony by remembering his father, a veteran who served in Germany between the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He presented the flag that was draped over his father’s casket to serve as a reminder of all of the veterans who have since passed on.

“I am very proud of my dad and also very proud of all the veterans,” Todd said. “I want to thank everybody in the audience [today] that are veterans. Thank you for your service.”

Todd then introduced Eric Fretz, Michigan selective service state director, professor at the University of Michigan and veteran, who served 20 years as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy.

Fretz spoke not only on those who have been lost, but of the veterans who live, work and go to school at Murray State. His main topic was the social needs of veterans and the ability of universities like Murray State to create a veteran community on or around campus. He believes veteran student organizations should be about friendship and engagement, becoming an enjoyable time rather than an obligation.

“There is able research of the critical importance of affiliation, belonging and friendship in terms of good mental health and long life,” Fretz said. “Building a vibrant veteran community on campus is [the] number one thing [you can do] to help them. It is my personal opinion that the most important task a veteran has is to find their tribe or tribes and build those supports.”

Fretz has also been working to ensure that those who have served in the military recognize themselves as veterans. There is no state or federal definition of who can be called a veteran, but some who have served feel they have not earned that distinction.

“The number one problem I face in my veterans’ treatment work is identifying justice [system] involved veterans,” Fretz said. “When those who have served are asked in jail [if they are] a veteran, they say no because they [believe] that they don’t meet the definition of a veteran.”

Fretz told the audience that being a veteran is not about the length of time served, but about the choice to make the sacrifice to leave behind family and friends for their country.

“I would encourage everyone to develop a broad and inclusive definition of [the term] veteran,” Fretz said. “A veteran is one who signs up to serve. Waste no time or energy here or anywhere trying to exclude a veteran or trivialize the service of another veteran. Be ferocious in speaking up for veterans who often get marginalized, such as our sisters in arms because women are playing an ever greater role in the Armed Forces, but they still go to the VA and get asked [about their] husband.”

Fretz stressed that developing bonds with fellow servicemembers is the first step toward integrating back into civilian life.

“There are a lot of veterans,” Fretz said. “All of them have been changed by their service and sacrifice in ways large and small. Some struggle in a way that is visible to the public, and some struggle in a way that is invisible. All can benefit from the value of regaining their tribe. Social affiliations are powerful forces that improve veterans’ lives. We should relentlessly seek to maintain and expand those sorts of structures where they exist and build them where they don’t.”

Activities were also available for students to remember and honor family and friends who have served in the military. On the Quad, flags and signs were placed to honor those who have served.

“Veterans Day is important because it’s one of the few days out of the year that [we] as a nation celebrate and honor our veterans,” Michaela Scott, senior agronomy major, said. “It’s important to me because I have veterans throughout my family tree and many have passed now, but it’s good to know that people still remember them and what they did [to protect] our country.”

Emphasis was placed on the 111 Kentucky servicemembers who gave their lives to protect America’s freedoms since the 9/11 attacks.

“On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month for more than 100 years, we have celebrated and honored those who have served in defense of our nation,” the sign read. “Today we continue this tradition, remembering the 111 Kentuckians who sacrificed all in the defense of our nation since Sept. 11, 2001, but we also honor those who have served and continue to serve. On this Veterans Day, show your support and thank a veteran. Let us continue this tradition for another 100 years.”

The Murray State University Office of Veteran and Military Student Success can be reached via phone at (270) 809-5343 or email msu.va@murraystate.edu.

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