Today we are celebrating Veterans Day 2012, a day when we honor all Americans who have served in the U.S. military. The above photo takes us back to the campus of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro on the west lawn of the Elliot University Center. Last Thursday, a flag was placed on the lawn for each U.S. soldier who lost his or her life on active duty since September 11th, 2001. We are in the twelfth year since that event and over 6,500 soldiers have died. That is a lot of flags; that is a lot of lives.
Many of UNCG's Veterans Day events have passed; however, today, they will be one of 200 campuses participating in the National roll call of all 6,500 men and women who have given their life in service. A minute of silence will be observed nationally at 2:00 pm. Hopefully, you will be in a position to do so, too. At 2:01, taps will be played and the UNCG Remembrance Day Ceremony will begin at 2:02 p.m. A moment of silence is a meaningful gesture, especially for the families who are left with an emptiness, a void, and eternal silence of a loved one who left this earth prematurely.
In the background of the above photo, we see a young man repositioning a recent purchase and a young couple walking to class. They are as dynamic as the flags are still, representing those for whom... day is done.......
A most touching remembrance.
Posted by: Jane Mitchell | Monday, November 12, 2012 at 09:45 AM