SIU observed its annual Veterans Day vigil on Monday morning at the Old Main Flagpole, where students, veterans and community members gathered to honor the sacrifices made by U.S. military service members. Organized by SIU’s Army and Air Force ROTC programs in collaboration with SIU Veterans Services, the event featured ROTC cadets standing in silent, 15-minute shifts, paying tribute throughout the morning from 6 a.m. until noon.
At 11 a.m., a ceremony was conducted, accompanied by a proclamation from Carbondale’s Mayor, Carolin Harvey, who has been a steadfast participant in the vigil for nearly 25 years.
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“I, Carolin Harvey, mayor of the city of Carbondale, Illinois, hereby proclaim Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, as Veterans Day in the city of Carbondale, Illinois, and urge all citizens to respectfully and appropriately recognize the occasion,” she said.
After the event, Harvey spoke further on the significance of this day to veterans in the community who are able to attend the vigil.
“For me, personally, it’s very touching every year just to hear the veterans express their appreciation, as we express ours to them,” she said.
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She also said that observing Veterans Day offers a chance for communities to unite in gratitude, not only in Carbondale but across the entire country.
Harvey said, “It’s not just this day, but it’s every day that we need to realize that we are here in this country and have the freedoms that we have because of what the veterans have done.”
She said the sacrifices veterans make should be recognized continuously, not just on a designated day, but Veterans Day serves as a focal point for appreciation.
“You know, the saying of ‘freedom ain’t free,’ but this is the perfect time to express that sentiment… It’s fought for by people who have lived and died and made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could be here,” Harvey said.
SIU alum and veteran Martin Parsons also participated in the ceremony. He spoke about the personal and communal significance of Veterans Day.
Parsons said that leading up to this day, “I was thinking about my service and who I am because of that service. It became increasingly difficult for me to separate who I am now from how I got here, because of those who came before me.”
He said the experiences and sacrifices of past veterans shaped not only his military journey but also his personal identity, making Veterans Day a time to honor those who laid the foundation for his path and the paths of many others.
Parsons also reflected on the journey of military members, starting from the shared experience of basic training. The journey of military members is unique because it marks a dramatic transition from civilian life to a structured, high-pressure environment where individuals must adapt to a completely different set of rules, expectations and challenges.
“Regardless of what branch, we go to boot camp or basic training… that’s where our shared story begins,” he said. “Our shared misery and bonding begin at that initial training. We are changed and transformed from civilians to military members.”
Parsons described the different phases service members go through, and said that “we move on to a more final phase, or a different phase of our journey destination… either we get out, or we re-enlist for another extended period of time, sometimes 20 years.”
Transitioning back to civilian life, Parsons added, can be a challenge as veterans adjust to a lifestyle that is significantly different from military service. The skills developed during military service, while valuable, may not always align directly with civilian job roles or social expectations.
“When we get out, our status changes… Some of us succeed at that transition better than others. It can be very challenging. We’ve lost our mission, and we don’t have some of the basic life skills that our civilian peers learn in those formative years,” he said. “But many veterans do transition successfully and live productive lives; many of them are here today.”
Parsons addressed his fellow veterans and ROTC cadets, encouraging them to accept expressions of gratitude.
“To my brothers and sisters in arms, let people thank you for your service. I know it can be a little uncomfortable because we are just doing our job, but just say, ‘You’re welcome.’ Let them show their appreciation today,” Parsons said.
The ceremony concluded with a rendition of taps, which is sounded as the final call on military bases and at military funerals, performed by the SIU Trumpet Studio under the direction of Assistant Professor Ricky Spears, as well as the wreath laying ceremony to serve as a symbolic gesture of respect and remembrance for those who have served in the military.
Staff reporter Annalise Schmidt can be reached at [email protected]. To stay up to date on all your southern Illinois news, be sure to follow The Daily Egyptian on Facebook and on X @dailyegyptian.
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