By Abby Wooster | Staff Writer
On Friday, Nov. 11, students, staff and community members gathered around the Veterans Memorial, outside of Cowles Auditorium, to commemorate Veterans Day.
The ceremony began with a welcome from U.S. Air Force Veteran and Whitworth Associate Director of Military and Veteran Outreach Phil Labrie. It was followed by a Presentation of Colors performed by the Fairchild Air Force Base Honor Guard.
After watching the Fairchild Honor Guard march in formation, audience members stood placing their right hands over their hearts as sophomore Julia Sanaun sang the national anthem.
Among the crowd stood junior Mary Brown, wearing her National Guard uniform. For Brown and many people across the United States, Veterans Day is a time to acknowledge the sacrifices made by past service members to protect civilians.
“Veterans Day means a lot to me, not just because [I serve in the state military], but also [because] I am from a military family,” Brown said. “My dad is almost finished with his 40 years of service [and] my grandfather retired [from the] Marine Corps.”
Serving in the National Guard part-time allows Brown to be a full-time student, though she said balancing the two commitments “can be a little stressful sometimes.”
After the national anthem, Veterans in the crowd stood as the Fossils Five Brass Quintet performed the Armed Forces Medley.
Air Force Veteran Loyd Patton, served in active duty for 25 years in Japan, Korea, Fairchild—an Air Force Base close to Spokane—Nebraska, Portugal, Germany and Texas. “Veterans Day [is] a time to recognize those who served [in] all branches of service,” said Patton. “I am proud to serve.”
Veteran Reverend G. Thompson Allen delivered a short message after the national anthem, reminding the audience why it is appropriate to say, “Thank you for your service” to past service members on Veterans Day.
“As the keynote speaker said, since 1973 [the military has been] an all-volunteer force, so you know everybody had to raise their right hand and sign on the dotted line,” said Patton.
In addition to serving in the Air Force, Patton taught the Air Force junior ROTC program at Rogers High School for 17 years and graduated from Whitworth last year in humanities. “Whitworth…[does] a lot in support of veterans, and that’s one of the reasons I chose to go here,” said Patton.
This support was reflected throughout the ceremony, as President Scott McQuilkin offered an invocation and Pastor Forrest Buckner closed with a benediction.
After the ceremony, the crowd moved into the HUB Crow’s Nest for lunch in solidarity with one another— Veterans and civilians.