UC honors those who served in advance of Veterans Day

The Cincinnati Enquirer covered the University of Cincinnati's tribute to veterans in advance of Wednesday's federal holiday.

Veterans Day on Wednesday recognizes the public service of all those who served in the U.S. armed forces. The university will be closed in observance of the federal holiday.

UC President Neville Pinto welcomed dozens of veterans and members of the public to Tuesday's ceremony in Great Hall at Tangeman University Center as UC cadets stood at attention and UC Bearcat Bands played a salute to the armed forces.

“We also recognize those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Their courage and dedication will not be forgotten,“ Pinto said.

Pinto noted that UC's Air Force ROTC is celebrating 80 years at UC this year. And its Army ROTC has commissioned more than 2,000 lieutenants from UC's student body.

“Thank you for choosing a path of service to our nation,“ Pinto said.

UC student Deja Clemons gave the student address. She is looking forward to commissioning as a U.S. Army officer next year after enlisting in 2016. Serving in the Army allowed Clemons to get a home loan at age 23. It also will help pay for her children’s college educations.

“None of these opportunities began with me. They exist because of the generations of veterans who came before us, who endured hardships, made sacrifices and paved the way,” she said.  “To every veteran here today, thank you for your service, your sacrifices, and the path you’ve paved for those of us to follow.“

In his keynote, UC Professor and U.S. Army veteran Jeffrey Blevins praised UC's Veterans Programs and Services for its commitment to UC's students, staff and faculty.

He said the support UC provides would have been very welcome to him when he was a struggling college student in Illinois.

“By the early 2000s, more universities were beginning to recognize that veterans were unlike other students on campus,“ he said.

Many of these nontraditional students have spouses and children, work full-time jobs and live far campus. And some carry hardships related to their service in the military, he said.

But Blevins said he was grateful for those in the audience who took time to acknowledge veterans this week.

“Thank you all for being here today and thank you for remembering,“ he said.

See the Cincinnati Enquirer's photo gallery on UC's Veterans Day celebration.

Featured image at top: UC pays tribute to veterans from all military branches Tuesday at Tangeman University Center's Great Hall. Photo/Connor Boyle/UC Marketing + Brand