Gage Johnson
Editor-in-Chief
gjohnson17@murraystate.edu
On Veterans Day, Murray State took to a virtual setting to honor those who have served and protected the United States of America.
The virtual Veterans Day celebration started with a speech from Murray State alumna and veteran Col. Lucretia McClenney.
“Veterans Day is a time for us to pay our respects to those who have served,” McClenney said. “For one day, we stand together in honor and pause to reflect on our veterans. America’s best men and women who have served and sacrificed by wearing the uniform of our nation.”
McClenney’s speech touched on the inception of Veterans Day, how it has changed over time, and how its meaning of remembering those who have served the country has never changed. She wrapped up her speech by encouraging everyone no matter where they may be to pay their respects to veterans.
“So wherever you may be on this Veterans Day, remember to give thanks to the veterans at Murray State University and your respective communities,” McClenney said. “Together our collective efforts will continue to make Murray State University military friendly and keep veterans in focus. I am proud to extend to America’s veterans a heartfelt appreciation and thanks for your service in the United States armed forces.”
After McClenney’s speech, President Bob Jackson and Don Robertson, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, thanked veterans for their service and recognized the importance of Veterans Day.
“Murray State and this country owe a deep debt to our veterans and our active duty military,” Jackson said. “So today is the day we get to recognize these important individuals. We appreciate the service and sacrifice of many.”
Jackson also mentioned how US News has included Murray State on a list of the best colleges for veterans, ranking Murray State 14th of 142, and the University showed how by paying respects to all veterans and by honoring one of the its very own.
Lacey Pritchard, the president of Student Veterans of America, was presented a plaque from the University with a quote from former President John F. Kennedy, thanking her and fellow veterans for their service.
Robertson furthered the thank you from University personnel and expressed his happiness to have so many veterans enrolled at Murray State.
“We currently have over 170 veterans, 200 military-connected personnel and we’re very proud of the fact that we have 29 veterans scheduled to graduate this year,” Robertson said.
If you would like to view McClenney’s speech, share a moment of silence in honor of veterans with others or view Murray State thanking its student veterans, click here.