Miniature star-spangled banners waved in the hands of more than 150 UCA students, employees, alumni and friends who turned out for the University of Central Arkansas? annual Veteran?s Day ceremony.
President Lu Hardin welcomed the guests and reminded them that ?we must never forget the price paid by 900,000 American soldiers, nor the 19 million veterans living today who served during wartime defending this country.?
After a brief welcome, Hardin introduced guest speaker Maj. Gen. Don Morrow, the adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard. ?There are 75 counties in this state and 75 Veteran?s Day ceremonies taking place today, so it is a tremendous honor to have Gen. Morrow on campus today,? Hardin said.
Morrow said he is always humbled in the presence of so many great American heroes who have served this country so well for so many years. ?When I think about veterans, I think about courage, sacrifice, compassion and heartbreak,? he said. ?I think about their love for this country and their love for their fellow man. I think about this country and its strength, and I think about the 900,000 soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.?
After recounting the sacrifices made by soldiers in each of the wars of the 20th century, Morrow highlighted some of the achievements Arkansas guardsmen have reached in the current war. ?Soldiers of the 39th Infantry Brigade have been rebuilding a park in the heart of Baghdad. Our soldiers have done tremendous work rebuilding. I can?t help but be very proud of our fellow Arkansans.?
