Veterans Day Vigil
11/12/09 | 1 comment

Veterans Day Vigil


BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY JOHN CLARKE RUSS
Members of the University of Maine Army ROTC and Navy ROTC stand at attention during the the first rotation of their Veteran's Day Vigil at the Fogler Libary on U Maine's Orono Campus Wednesday morning, November 11, 2009. Left to right are Cadet Private Jossette Hernandez of Bronx,NY, Midshipman 3rd Class Kevin Schwenk of of Gales Ferry, CT, Cadet Spencer Pelkey of Millinocket, Midshipman 3rd Class Matthew Ellis of Topsham, ME, Midhshipman 3rd Class Amanda Schliefer of Camden, DE, and Cadet Staff Sergeant Frank Kessler of Amherst, ME. The vigil took place from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Approximately 30 midhipmen and cadets took part in the vigil with a changing of the colors every 30 minutes.

Cadet Amanda Keiser (right) of Mechanicsburg, Pa., and other University of Maine Army ROTC cadets and Navy ROTC midshipmen prepare to relieve Cadet Pvt. Jossette Hernandez (left) of the Bronx, N.Y., and other ROTC members during the first transfer of colors in their Veterans Day vigil at the Fogler Library on the Orono campus of the University of Maine. The vigil took place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Approximately 30 cadets and midshipmen took part in the changing of the colors every 30 minutes.

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1 comment on this item
On 11/13/09 at 3:21 PM, mainemanabroad wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Just exactly when did Veterans Day turn into a second Memorial Day? Memorial Day is a day of rememberance for the fallen military throughout the ages. It is supposed to be quiet, prayerfull, and tearfull. We go to cemetaries and place wreaths on graves and cry because we miss these honored dead

Veterans Day is supposed to loud, joyfull and a celebration of life. It has it's origins in the celebration of the returning soldiers from war. It has cheers, tears of gratitude, and thanksgiving. There are hugs, kisses, and prayers of joy and thanks.

Vererans Day is the time for we veterans to show off our trappings of military service, wear our faded ribbons and medals, try to fit into our old uniforms, and tell stories of past adventures and of honor. To march in parades to the cheers of those lining the way.

Yes, between the parades and fireworks, we will remember absent friends and comrades with saddness. It's unavoidable. But this day is for the living!

Maybe if we spend alittle more time recognizing and honoring those of us who served and lived, fewer of us would feel the stress of returning from war, and maybe of the war itself.

Rev. Robert James Shand, MS, D. Div.

Viet Nam 1969

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