Shepherd University is holding a Veterans Day Program on Friday, Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. until noon in the Cumberland Room. Special guest speaker Jim Staley will be attending. Staley has served three years in the U.S. Army and is a 1968 graduate of Shepherd College.
Mary Beth Myers, the veterans support service coordinator, says “Veterans Day is important for those who have served in this country and for those who are currently serving. It’s a day set aside where people can thank a fellow veteran for their services.”
Many people also know somebody in their family or close to them that have served in the military.
“Both of my parents are veterans,“ said Gabby Hersey, a sophomore English literature major. “A lot of my family has background in the military. I think Veterans Day is where people can honor the sacrifices they’ve made to keep our country safe. It lets them know that we do appreciate all they’ve done for this country.”
According to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are roughly 22 million veterans of the U.S. armed forces. In West Virginia, there are over 160,000 veterans.
Many veterans say that Veterans Day is just one day to show respect, even though the majority of people honor vets all year around.
“It’s a moment where everybody gets to pause and thank people they know or love for their services,” said Christopher Bonar, a veteran of the United States Air Force. “It’s similar to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. People specifically show their love and support during that time, but it’s something that’s always in the back of most people’s minds.”
“We try to make Shepherd as inclusive as possible,” Myers said “Veterans are a part of this community and we should show our respect.”
Chace Jones is a staff writer for The Picket. He can be reached at cjones08@rams.shepherd.edu.