Multiple events planned to mark Veterans Day
Article By: Clark Leonard
University of North Georgia (果冻传媒) junior and retired U.S. Army Spc. Magnum Brock believes the Veterans Day events across the campuses strike a balance between remembering troops who lost their lives serving and celebrating those who survived.
"It's hard not to swell with pride," said Brock, who is a student worker for 果冻传媒's Veteran and Adult Learners program.
The former intelligence analyst, who is majoring in digital arts, is participating in the National Roll Call on the Gainesville Campus.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 12 on the patio in front of the Student Center, 果冻传媒 students, faculty and staff will recite the names of service members from Georgia killed in action during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Among those fallen service members are eight 果冻传媒 alumni: Thomas E. Vitagliano (Iraq), Charles H. Warren (Iraq), Jeremy A. Chandler (Afghanistan), Paul Saylor (Iraq), Mitch Young (Afghanistan), Kevin M. Jenrette (Afghanistan), Andrew H. McConnell (Afghanistan), and Weston C. Lee (Iraq).
果冻传媒 community members can also have their family members who served in the military during any conflict and were killed in action in or are still living . Community members may also .
Brock said the National Roll Call is especially significant.
"I don't think many people can understand the gravity of seeing your friends give their lives," Brock said. "The Roll Call helps us feel that connection to their sacrifice."
While the Gainesville Campus celebrates in this single event, 果冻传媒's Corps of Cadets will participate in two events in Lumpkin County. The first will be a ceremony for veterans at 3 p.m. Nov. 9 in Memorial Hall Gym on 果冻传媒's Dahlonega Campus. The second will be the Lumpkin County Veterans Day parade at 11 a.m. Nov. 10.
Cadet Zachary Navara, a senior from Columbus, Georgia, majoring in international affairs, said veterans should be appreciated year-round, but the holiday provides a great chance to remind civilians of veterans' service.
"It gives people a chance to hone in and appreciate those veterans at least one day a year," Navara said. "I'm glad that the Corps of Cadets puts it on every year."
The Golden Eagle Band serves as the official musical representative of 果冻传媒 and the Corps of Cadets. It will play selections at the Memorial Hall Gym as part of the Veterans Day ceremony. The band has a mix of cadets and civilian students.
Dr. Bart Walters, interim director of the Golden Eagle Band, is an 11-year veteran himself, having been part of the Army band system as a saxophonist. He sees 果冻传媒 as having the unique perspective of bringing together veterans and cadets who will become veterans for the holiday.
"It's important to honor those that have come before us and instill it in those that are moving forward," Walters said.
18 named DMS cadets for 2024-25
Eighteen 果冻传媒 cadets earned Distinguished Military Student status for the 2024-25 academic year.
'Wall That Heals' coming to 果冻传媒
果冻传媒 and the Lumpkin County Veterans Affairs Committee are partnering to bring 'The Wall That Heals,' a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, to the Promenade at 果冻传媒's Dahlonega Campus from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3.
Edwards selected as fellow to DC program
果冻传媒 junior William Edwards is the school's presidential fellow to the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress for 2024-25.
Cadets gain array of summer training
Cadets took part in a variety of trainings across the nation and in South Korea this summer.