Chancellor DiStefano: ‘Consider the debt of gratitude we owe our veterans’
鶹ѰBoulder Chancellor Philip DiStefano and other leadersgatheredon Monday in the Glenn Miller Ballroomto honorColorado military veterans—including alumni andhundreds of currentstudent veterans—during thecampus’sannual Veterans Day ceremony.
In 1947, 鶹ѰBoulder’s enrollment was 8,747 students—including 4,607 World War II veterans. Many relied on the GI Bill to pursue their academic dreams and rebuild their lives after the war. That year, 80% of enrolled students petitioned in support of a $12 fee to help finance the construction of a new student union that would also serve as a veterans memorial. Gov. William Lee Knous issued a proclamation later that year to say, “The memorial center at the University of Colorado shall be the official state memorial to those who served and to those who died in these great wars to preserve our democratic freedom.”
On Nov. 11, 2013, Gov. John Hickenlooper re-dedicated the UMC as Colorado’s official living memorial to honor the service and sacrifice of the Centennial State’s military veterans.
“I encourage you to take a moment to consider the debt of gratitude we owe our veterans. Without their service and dedication to our nation, our freedom and liberties would not be as secure as they are today,” Chancellor DiStefanosaid while delivering opening statementsat the University Memorial Center(UMC), which servesas the state’s official veterans memorial.
“With so much attention focused on things that divide us, it’s far too easy to overlook something that should unify us—our gratitude for the sacrifices of those still serving, and those who have served selflessly in our armed forces,”the chancellorsaid.
DiStefanosaid鶹Ѱhas made significant investments in support of more than 1,000 student veterans, their families and dependents.
One of those investments isthe campus’sOffice of Veteran and Military Affairs.Since 2013, the office’s full-time staff has increased to eight, which includes a veteran-focused academic adviser and professional math and physics tutors.
“The leadership and life experience that our student veterans bring to the classroomand our campus community is a significant contributing factor in 鶹ѰBoulder’s current and future success,” DiStefano said.“One of the highlights of my job is to support this outstanding group of young Americans at 鶹ѰBoulder.”
During his keynote address,Rear Admiral Marcus Hitchcock, director of strategy, plans and policy at the U.S. Space Command,reminded the audience thatVeterans Day is the one day in November thatthe nationembraces“the gentle heroes of our nation’s wars,” including those serving today across the globe.
He askedallto honor those who chose to “pay the highest price, what Abraham Lincoln called the ‘last full measure of devotion’—to defend America.”
“Our nation’s veterans often quietly serve without the hope for or expectation of gratitude,” Hitchcock said. “For generations, Americans have answered the call to serve in our armed forces. The brave patriots who have worn the uniform of the United States selflessly place the concerns of the nation above their own.”
A U.S. Naval Academy graduate and naval aviator,Hitchcockservedduring Desert Storm and Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring FreedomandreceivedtheLegion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star.
Thisyear, the university etched the names of two more Colorado veteranstotheglasswall in theVeterans Memorial Loungeat theUMC:Sgt. First Class Will D. Lindsay, of Cortez, Colorado,and Gunnery Sgt. Scott A.Koppenhafer,ofMancos, Colorado,who both died this year while serving their country.
As in past years,thecampus color guard’s presentation of the flags lent a note of solemnityand hushed reverencetotheevent, led bySgt. First Class Kevin Marquardt. This year’s co-hosts wereUMC Board ChairBrandeeLantz, and Veteran Student Association President Josh Sloat.
Alsoin attendance were 鶹ѰRegents Lesley Smith and Heidi Ganahl, Veteran and Military Affairs Director Stew Elliot,andAssistantVice ChancellorAkirahBradley.