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Cadets from the Army and Navy ROTC programs stood at attention on the Fogler Library steps on Veterans Day at the University of Maine to honor the United States.
“The reason we stand here is not so we can get our name out there, but it’s more in remembrance of the veterans on campus,” said Matthew Colpitts, midshipmen first class. “The professors, the students, anyone who is walking by — this is so they can see we still care about them and that we appreciate what they do for us.”
Colpitts served overseas once before with his twin brother. The experience hit home for Colpitt, and on a day like Veterans Day, he said it means a lot to him.
“It’s something I have really enjoyed. There’s nothing like serving overseas with your twin brother in a country like that. So it’s a bonding experience like you’ll never have before,” Colpitts said.
Gamma Sigma Sigma members honored the veterans by tabling in the first floor of the Memorial Union. Students came up to the table and wrote on a yellow ribbon the names of those they have known who have served the United States.
A member of the sorority, Morgin Cossar, said honoring the veterans meant a lot to her, as her father served in the first Gulf War.
“I’m definitely proud of my father and the time he has served for his country. So doing something like this, I feel is a grand gesture,” Cossar said, “but I usually just tell him myself what it means to me.”
Another member of the sorority, Samantha Spires, believes that while not everyone agrees with the wars, everyone needs to show support for Veterans.
“We all need to show a little more respect. People are definitely appreciative, but I don’t think we say it enough. People need to be a little bit more outspoken and be like, ‘Thank you for what you do,’ and maybe show it a bit more than we do on a regular basis,” Spires said. “None of us would ever just willingly go out there and risk our lives day in and day out like they do. So you just have to say ‘thank you’ and let them know we’re thinking of them and that we want them all to come home safe.”
Colpitts said today’s veterans do not ask for any recognition, which is the reason to recognize them on Veterans Day.
“This day is really for them to give them remembrance for what they did. A lot of times they walk through the streets, they walk around campus, not asking for recognition and not asking for anything but to serve the country. This is the day of the year that we show appreciation and support for them, and say, ‘thank you,’” Colpitts said.
Spires recommended students get involved — not necessarily by joining the Army or Navy, but simply by being active, for example by becoming a greeter to welcome the troops home.
“Students could volunteer to be troop greeters. Just go to the airport and welcome them home. If more people get involved, I think they’d appreciate it if they see younger faces, people their own ages coming out, instead of just the older generations,” Spires said.
Bangor Daily News