Cameron Athletics Honors Veterans Across The Nation
November 11, 2011Heavy hearts and joyful admiration were abound at Cameron Friday as the school honored the country's Veterans with a number of activities. Among them was one special activity; one that is being held at each university across the nation: Remembrance Roll Call. The show of respect involves key figures from each department on campus, rotating in 15 minute shifts, reading the rank and name of 6,305 Americans that have lost their life fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.Athletic Director Jim Jackson said it was eye-opening to stand amongst the 6,305 flags planted in the ground, each one representing a life lost while protecting this country, and even more sobering to read the names of lives lost aloud.
"I can never repay that debt, but I can honor those who served and remember those who gave their lives," he said. "It was very humbling. And then of course, I remembered my dad, who served in World War II and how much I miss him, and what a great American he was. Veteran's Day today took on a different meaning for me because of this ceremony at Cameron."
In addition to the roll call, a campus-wide moment of silence was held at 1 p.m., as well as a ceremony featuring Major General David Halverson, followed by a free lunch hosted for veterans and active-duty personnel.
