CAITLYN KLOMP | guest writer
photo | CAITLYN KLOMP
Veterans and ROTC students sang the lyrics of each military branch's fight song.


Miniature American flags lined the garden areas in front of the LAPC board room last Monday, leading the way to a Veteran’s Day Luncheon.

“Be proud of your men and women in uniform, not just because they are serving our country, but because they are ambassadors,” Lieutenant Colonel Steve O’Brien said.

Almost 70 people attended the event, most of which were veterans, currently serving, or will soon be commissioned.

The U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard were each represented. There were Veterans from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, and the Iraq War scattered at different tables throughout the room.

“It’s important to honor all the veterans that have served and to recognize the veterans on campus,” Veteran’s Affairs Coordinator at the Office of the Registrar Allyson Linscott said.

There are approximately 85 APU students who are involved with the armed forces, as well as numerous members of faculty and staff.

Everyone stood as five ROTC students opened Monday’s event, marching in wearing their green uniforms and shiny metallic helmets, while carrying flags and guns. In single-file, they made their way to the front of the room to ceremoniously display the American and Californian flags.

Senior music major Elise Egigian sang the national anthem before Air Force Chaplain and Associate Director of Alumni Relations Rick Givens led the servicemen and women in a responsive reading.

After Givens prayed, Veterans stood, one by one, to announce where, when, and for what branch of the military they had served.

Each table was set with a blue cloth, white napkins, and cherry-garnished desserts, portraying a red, white and blue theme. Next to the desserts were placards with the lyrics to the fight songs of each military branch, which all the men and women joined together to sing. When it was time to sing the Marine’s battle song, veteran Marines, including APU trolley driver Tracy Bates, stood in respect. Many others followed suit, filling the room with their voices and pride.

Soon after, enchiladas, beans, and rice were served. They were slowly eaten, however, as it seemed the veterans were more interested in sharing memories than eating.

Conversations ranged from the changes in uniforms over the years, to religious freedom in the service, to the current happenings in the war in Iraq.

Eating was put on hold for Egigian to sing “America the Beautiful” before speaker O’Brien was introduced. He spoke about being deployed in Djibouti, Africa, a safe haven from the terrorism in the area.

O’Brien spoke about the main life lessons he has learned in the service.

“There’s no place like home. Every time I deploy, I remember that,” he said.

He went on to talk about everything in life being a gift, happiness being based on the heart instead of possessions, and how “you don’t have to wear a uniform to be a hero.”

O’Brien concluded by saying “Veteran’s day is to honor three groups. First, I want to honor you veterans; who you are and the type of people you are. You step forward when others will not. Second, the parents, the husbands, and the wives who maintain a constant vigil, waiting for them and praying for them. The light of concern is never distinguished. And finally, the former veterans who came before us. They are the men and women who made the lives we live today possible.”