Mississippi State University Army ROTC cadre Sgt. 1st Class Luis Vazquez and cadets listen during the university's annual veterans program Monday. (Photo by Charlie Benton, SDN)
Mississippi State University held its annual Veterans Day Ceremony Monday afternoon, honoring a group that has perhaps shaped the university more than any other.
The annual ceremony was held in the Fowlkes Auditorium, and featured remarks from MSU President Mark Keenum and MSU G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Center for America’s Veterans Director Brian Locke, among others. Several veterans attended, along with MSU students, faculty and staff. Cadets and cadre from the University’s Army and Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) battalions also attended, with a joint color guard presenting and retrieving the Colors.
Keenum discussed the centennial of the armistice ending World War I at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918, and thanked all veterans in attendance for their service.
“It was just 100 years ago,” Keenum said. “The world was at war. The world was coming apart. Everyone thought the world was coming to an end leading up to 1918. The hope was there would not be a need for ROTC cadets and men and women to serve in the military defending their nation, because going through something that terrible, a devastating blow to society, the world would learn.”
He discussed MSU’s military history, with all students serving as officer cadets early in the school’s history, and the curriculum being modeled after the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
“The young men who attended school here at Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College were cadets,” Keenum said. “Our parade ground was where our cadets would go out morning and evening to practice their drills, and that’s why today we affectionately refer to our quadrangle, our parade ground as the ‘Drill Field.’”
Keenum said he still enjoyed watching ROTC cadets practice drill on the field from his office on the fourth floor of Lee Hall.
“It makes me very proud when I see all of you young men and women on the Drill Field carrying out your drills,” Keenum said. “I’m proud of our university, our active duty and reserve students, veteran students, dependents, survivors. The university military family numbers 2,800 students. It makes me very proud.”
Mississippi State has been acknowledged several times for its support of the military, especially for the Center for America’s Veterans at Nusz Hall. The center offers services for student veterans, including fellowship, counseling, a study room and other outreach. The university has also recently implemented free tuition for active duty Mississippi National Guard members, and waives application fees and out-of-state fees for veterans.
“I think it’s one of the most important things we can do to just say thank you, and take just a few minutes out of your day to appreciate those folks who served, who fought for our freedom, some who died for our freedom,” Locke said. “Really, I think it’s the most important ceremony we could do throughout the year.”
Locke also said several other veterans events would take place throughout the week, including “Green Zone” training for faculty, a veterans 5k, and an art contest later in the week. The MSU Bulldogs will also face the ArkansasRazorbacks wearing uniforms honoring veterans on Saturday.
Locke also asked those in attendance to keep Mississippi Army National Guard soldiers currently in the Middle East in their prayers.