Honoring the service, sacrifice of our veterans

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Heidelberg honored the service and sacrifice of all military men and women in a Veterans Day ceremony planned by Student Senate. Senator Abbey McKee served as emcee.

The ceremony was an opportunity for the campus community to come together to reflect upon the sacrifices veterans and their families have made for us so that we may be free, said Phil Ness, vice president for University Advancement & Marketing.

Among the hundreds of Heidelberg alumni who are also veterans, Kevin Bowers returned to campus to share his experience as an air defense artilleryman in the U.S. Army, following his 1980 graduation from Heidelberg.

“Serving my country was a great honor and an opportunity to give back,” Kevin said. “I am so proud to have been born an American.”

He added that military service “gave me a new appreciation of freedom” and he challenged ’Berg students to work hard and develop into solid citizens.

‘Berg sophomore Spencer Geil, a health science and health and human performance major from Vermilion, also spoke about his experience as a lance corporal in the Marine Corps Reserves. Spencer said he grew up wanting to be a Marine and to serve his country.

“It wasn’t just a phase,” he said. “I enlisted before my senior year. After training, when I came back to the Reserves, I saw how (military) service had affected me.” He learned to be self-sufficient and the value of camaraderie. “Serving in the military has given me many abilities and affected me as a person.”

He concluded: “Semper fidelis.”

Members of the United Veterans Council of Seneca County posted the colors, conducted a 21-gun salute and concluded the ceremony with the playing of “Taps.” The Singing Collegians led the community in the singing of the National Anthem. Campus Chaplain Paul Sittason Stark offered a concluding prayer for peace.