Brian S. Ebers 13

D.E. Campus Life Editor

Loy Addington remembers SIUC in 1966, when he said that respect for veterans was at its low point. But Addington has tolerated such difficult times and said there now is more respect than ever for the armed forces.

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Addington, a Carbondale resident and Vietnam veteran who served in the Marines, remembers and attends Veterans Day ceremonies to honor those who have died and served.

Addington was one of 3,000 Marines who landed in Danang, Vietnam, in March 1965. When he finished his two tours of duty, Addington returned to Carbondale and attended SIUC for three years.

I have enormous pride in the U.S. Marine Corps and the United States, Addington said. My pride has grown over the years.

In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson created Armistice Day as a national holiday recognizing the efforts of uniformed men and women like Addington and their contributions to America.

Today the name of the holiday has changed, but the ideals of Veterans Day remain the same.

Every Veterans Day, SIUC recognizes contributions of service members through a Veterans Day Recognition Observance. This year’s ceremony is titled You Are Not Forgotten.

The activities begin at 4 p.m. today at the Old Main flagpole. A wreath will be placed at the base of the flagpole, and Taps will be played as a sobering reminder of soldiers who paid the ultimate price for democracy. Mayor Neil Dillard will read a proclamation followed by three guest speakers

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A formal retreat of the colors ceremony by more than 100 uniformed men and women of ROTC will be followed by a 21-gun salute, which will end the ceremony.

A reception will follow the activities in the Old Main Lounge in the Student Center.

Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, is one of three speakers who will make remarks regarding Veterans Day. Bost served as a U.S. Marine from 1979 to 1982.

I would like to comment on the commitments of the men and women who have fought and died in battle, Bost said.

The speakers are all veterans of the service, and each one represents a different period of military time.

Harry Wirth, director of SIUC’s Physical Plant and Vietnam veteran, will speak as well. Wirth served from February 1966 until February 1971 as an intelligence officer with the U.S. Air Force.

Wirth flew some combat missions, and instructed F-4 pilots in Tucson, Ariz., after leaving Vietnam.

The Air Force helped mold my career, he said. I lost 27 friends in five years in Vietnam.

The purpose of Veteran’s Day is to honor those who served in the military, but pay particular honor to those who served and didn’t return.

Veterans Day activities begin at 4 p.m. today at the Old Main flagpole.

Following the activities, there will be a reception in the Old Main Lounge in the Student Center.