Those who have walked the Midtown campus of Western Connecticut State University this week may have noticed the American flags that have surrounded Alumni Circle. These flags were placed there ardently by WestConn’s Student Veterans Organization. The flags were assembled as a representation of an important day in American History, Veterans Day, to honor all veterans past and present. These flags in particular have been placed in remembrance of all of those who have sacrificed their lives for our country while fighting in Iraq.

On the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, of the eleventh year, students, faculty, veterans and other citizens came together at WestConn to honor and remember those who have served our country. The Veterans Day Ceremony took place in Ives Concert Hall in White Hall as President Schmotter, faculty members, student veterans, and many others spoke about their own experiences and the importance of this day. Danbury Mayor, Mark Boughton, one of several people who presented in honor of this holiday, stated in his speech that “Nobody can measure up to this country that gives what a veteran gives to this country.”

Beautiful music filled the hall throughout the ceremony as Dr. Fernando Jimenez conducted the WCSU Wind Ensemble. The presence of the veterans, the honorable speeches, and the beautiful music brought those of us in the audience to the question of “What does Veterans day mean to me?”

Veteran and WCSU Alumnus Bryan Bielefeldt, answered this question as he shared a story, “Veterans day is yet another day with emphasis on the gratitude and the struggle of everyday life, a day that I am thankful for being an American.”

“To me, Veterans Day means honoring those who have served and died defending our great country,” says senior student Matthew Popp. “I think it’s great that WestConn does so much to remember and honor our military. When asked, senior student Kayla Kalaitzidis said that “Veterans Day means a day devoted to honor those who have served our country past and present, especially for the men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice.”

As we honor and remember those who have served our country, ask yourself, what does Veterans Day mean to me?