By Candice Thompson
In Motion Staff Writer
It was a humbling moment. A big crowd watched silently as the Detachment 157 Color Guard Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Air Force, with purpose and solemn dignity, carried rifles and flags representing the United States and each branch of its armed forces across the stage.
The audience jumped slightly at each loud sharp cadence and call to arms. A moment later, the commands carried out by cadets in a single fluid motion.
A swift, visual sweep of the crowd easily validated the pride, the thankfulness, the sadness and the remembrance. For anyone paying attention, it would be simple to spot veterans who served. Anyone could see the quick flashes of memories from a lifetime ago reflected in their eyes. Moments many surely wished they were capable of leaving in the past. Moments they would give anything to forget suddenly transformed into a tear and wiped away as the Pledge of Allegiance echoed through the breezeway.
Great pride comes with great sacrifice.
The Veterans Day ceremony commenced with Dr. Richard Pastor, Vice President of Student Development at Daytona State College taking the staget. Pastor opened with statistics as he informed the audience there were 945 veterans enrolled on campus this year. Sixty-two percent of all veterans at DSC graduate with honors. He also spoke of the Veterans Center on campus and what it has to offer. He encouraged veterans to stop in and see how the center can benefit them.
“When your nation called, you answered.” Those words rang out loud and clear as keynote speaker, retired Brigadier General William Feyk, took the stage. He served this country for 33 years in the U.S. Army. Feyk recounted that Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day in 1919. Armistice, meaning “truce,” was enacted by President Woodrow Wilson to commemorate the end of the first World War. It became a national holiday in 1938 and later designated Veterans Day in 1954.
“It is important to recognize the challenges that many of our veterans face today. A willingness to sacrifice their personal freedoms. Long absences from family members means absence from births, birthdays and graduations. A greater sacrifice are those who are serving in harm’s way. They will return home marked with the scars of war,” Feyk said somberly.
About 1.6 million veterans live in Florida and 12 percent are homeless. Twenty percent of those returning from Iraq or Afghanistan suffer from PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder. Feyk urged everyone to reach out and support current and former military members who are struggling.
“This is not charity. It is what they have earned. As a nation, as a community, we owe veterans a great debt that must be recognized,” Feyk said.
Bruce Russotto, veteran and a member of Florida Chapter 8 Rolling Thunder, presented the Missing Man Table. Russotto and his club are comprised of a mixture of veterans and civilians alike — all with the same goal in mind —to bring home POW/MIAs.
“A small, round table is positioned symbolically in the center of the stage,” he explained. “This is the Missing Man POW table. It is a place of dignity and honor, representing the men and women are missing from their ranks. It is small, meaning they are alone against their suppressor. A white tablecloth honors the purity of their response to their countries call to arms.
“A single rose in a vase denotes blood they may have shed to ensure the freedom to our beloved US of A,” Russotto continued. “The rose also reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades, who keep the faith of their loved ones while they await for their return. The red ribbon on the vase is also worn on lapels for unyielding determination. The Bible rests solidly on the table for the strength gained through faith, as well as to sustain those laws founded as one nation, under God.”
In addition, a slice of lemon is placed on the plate representing bitter fate. Salt is symbolic of countless tears of families waiting for their return. A glass is inverted because the missing cannot toast with us at this time. Their chair is empty. Finally, there is the flag.
“Many may never return,” he concluded, “and they paid the supreme sacrifice to protect our freedom.”
In his heartbreaking speech, he dedicated the Missing Man Table to soldiers who never made it home.
The final speaker, Student Government President Austin Albro, encouraged everyone to write the name of a friend or family member who has served in the military. The SGA is working to create a display of these names on campus. They will also be implementing a program to help reduce the veteran suicide rate.
Suicide rates among vets are startlingly high, according to the latest statistics. A 2012 Veteran’s Administration study of death certificates estimated 22 veterans died of suicide each day in 2010. That’s nearly one an hour.
Veteran and student Norman King was presented an award for his dedication and long hours committed to the Veterans Center on campus.