WATCH: UC Veterans Ceremony Honors Those Who Serve

A crisp fall morning awaited area veterans who attended the University of Cincinnati's annual Veterans Ceremony Thursday, Nov. 10, on McMicken Commons.

UC offices close for Veterans Day Friday, Nov. 11, but the university community paused today to remember why we honor the men and women who have served and continue to serve in our nation's armed forces.

More than 100 members of UC's Air Force and Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps took part in the ceremony along with the Bearcat Band, which performed military tributes dating back to the Revolutionary War.

UC Vice President Mitchell D. Livingston welcomed area veterans and their families to campus and thanked them for their sacrifices.

"We pause to honor those men and women who have given and sacrificed so much in service to our nation," said Livingston. "Since the establishment of the university in 1819, our faculty, staff and students have served in every major conflict this nation has endured from the Civil War to the conflict that we are facing today with the global war on terrorism."

United States Air Force Col. Steven Higgins, commander of the Wright-Patterson Medical Center, served as the ceremony's guest speaker.

Higgins reminded those in attendance that Oct. 7 marked the 10th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on U.S. soil.

"Our sons and daughters continue to answer the call to support and defend our nation and our freedom by serving around the globe in places like Iraq and Afghanistan," said Higgins. "There is no mystery behind the endurance and the success of our airmen, and of the soldiers, sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen of our sister services.

"In every generation, from the Revolutionary War to this very hour, brave Americans have stepped forward and served honorably in the armed forces of the United States. Every one of you who has served or is serving today deserves the admiration of our entire country."

As part of the ceremony, UC recognized two current ROTC students who are also veterans.

Courtney Gillespie

served in the U.S. Army in Iraq from 2008 to 2009 as an operations sergeant in Taji. Student Terrence Ashton served in the Air Force, and among his experiences, he assisted Japan's recovery efforts following the devastating earthquake and Tsunami in July.

Ashton was on an Air Force base near Tokyo when the disaster struck, and afterward he served as a unit deployment manager for relief efforts.

"It was surreal to see what was going on around us," he shared. "My family lived off base. I called my wife and 7-month old son to be sure they were OK, but the call dropped. I was panicking. Thankfully they were still under the table and OK when I got home."

When nuclear contamination scares struck the country, Ashton's family evacuated to the states, but he stayed behind and assisted.

"I've grown up my whole life around the Air Force," he said. "I've always wanted the opportunity to lead at the next level. I want to do good things for this country."

As part of its UC tradition, the ceremony closed with the presentation of the colors and "Taps" played by buglers Joe Moody and Andrew Sharf stationed in the facing towers of McMicken Hall and Tangeman University Center.