SectionsVeterans praised at annaul event
Dee Dee Nilsen
Issue date: 11/9/04 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Veterans were honored through music and heartfelt speeches at the 10th annual "Musical Salute to Our Veterans" celebration, initiating a week of other SMS activities to pay tribute to veterans.
Members of the Pride Band, Vintage Brass, Concert chorale and choral ensembles filled Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts with patriotic songs that inspired audience members to sing along, stand to salute their Veterans and wave handheld American flags.
Speakers Ralph Manley, World War II army veteran, and Lance Corporal Jeremy Krug, United States Marine Corps and SMS student, praised their fellow veterans and reminded people of the freedom and opportunity of America.
"Thanks, America, for giving me the chance to serve you," Manley said. "Thanks, America, for all the wonderful veterans who can help pass on these values to our children."
The Vintage Brass band performed an Armed Forces Salute during and played the official songs of each military branch. Veterans in the audience stood when they heard their branch's piece, while many remaining audience members saluted them from their seats.
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Fred Marty, SMS associate vice president of administrative services, welcomed the crowd and gave thanks to Veterans on behalf of the University.
"What you did in response to your nation's call mattered immensely to those with whom you served, to your nation, to your community and to your family," he said. "We are grateful for what you did, and we are extremely proud of you for the example that you continue to set."
Manley said he is grateful to Veterans for taking risks and providing freedom for Americans.
"America was built on the premise of risk-taking," he said. "We are so fortunate to be Americans and to be able to enjoy this wonderful world."
Living in a democracy has offered Americans the greatest luxuries, Manley said, and now America has made the same luxuries available to Iraq.
"We have no fear like the rest of the world where people dare to speak out against their government," he said. "Never in the history of man has there been so much trust and faith in our system of democracy and government and in each other."
As a veteran himself, Manley spoke of his proudest moments while in combat.
"As a paratrooper on the battlefields of World War II, it was not the fear factor of being wounded or killed that won the war," he said. "It was the determination to preserve our nation from the destruction of war. We service people are proud to have worn our uniforms and proud to represent our country."
Krug described his recent experiences in Iraq where he aided in supplying schools with new materials, surveyed bridges and set up field hospitals.
"My time there was not fun, but it was extremely gratifying work," he said.
Other performances included a dance by colorguard members to a piece by the Band Brass Quintet. A duet of trumpet players at opposite ends of the auditorium performed "Taps," and the Pride Band marched in to conclude the concert with several patriotic pieces.
Members of the Pride Band, Vintage Brass, Concert chorale and choral ensembles filled Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts with patriotic songs that inspired audience members to sing along, stand to salute their Veterans and wave handheld American flags.
Speakers Ralph Manley, World War II army veteran, and Lance Corporal Jeremy Krug, United States Marine Corps and SMS student, praised their fellow veterans and reminded people of the freedom and opportunity of America.
"Thanks, America, for giving me the chance to serve you," Manley said. "Thanks, America, for all the wonderful veterans who can help pass on these values to our children."
The Vintage Brass band performed an Armed Forces Salute during and played the official songs of each military branch. Veterans in the audience stood when they heard their branch's piece, while many remaining audience members saluted them from their seats.
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Fred Marty, SMS associate vice president of administrative services, welcomed the crowd and gave thanks to Veterans on behalf of the University.
"What you did in response to your nation's call mattered immensely to those with whom you served, to your nation, to your community and to your family," he said. "We are grateful for what you did, and we are extremely proud of you for the example that you continue to set."
Manley said he is grateful to Veterans for taking risks and providing freedom for Americans.
"America was built on the premise of risk-taking," he said. "We are so fortunate to be Americans and to be able to enjoy this wonderful world."
Living in a democracy has offered Americans the greatest luxuries, Manley said, and now America has made the same luxuries available to Iraq.
"We have no fear like the rest of the world where people dare to speak out against their government," he said. "Never in the history of man has there been so much trust and faith in our system of democracy and government and in each other."
As a veteran himself, Manley spoke of his proudest moments while in combat.
"As a paratrooper on the battlefields of World War II, it was not the fear factor of being wounded or killed that won the war," he said. "It was the determination to preserve our nation from the destruction of war. We service people are proud to have worn our uniforms and proud to represent our country."
Krug described his recent experiences in Iraq where he aided in supplying schools with new materials, surveyed bridges and set up field hospitals.
"My time there was not fun, but it was extremely gratifying work," he said.
Other performances included a dance by colorguard members to a piece by the Band Brass Quintet. A duet of trumpet players at opposite ends of the auditorium performed "Taps," and the Pride Band marched in to conclude the concert with several patriotic pieces.