Nov 12, 2009 By Angie Oravec 4 min read

Members of the local community joined Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus staff and students to pause and appreciate the nation’s military veterans and soldiers, some who have died to retain people’s freedoms. With a cool wind ruffling the campus’ American flags, around 40 people gathered at a special ceremony Wednesday held on a holiday officially recognizing the nation’s military and their service.

Veterans Day, or Armistice Day, as celebrated in some countries, marks the anniversary of the end of World War I. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as Armistice Day in recognition of the signing of the armistice treaty between the Allies and Germany.

Since then, Armistice Day was expanded to recognize all veterans, not just those who served in World War I. The move became official when President Dwight Eisenhower, in 1954, signed a bill recognizing the holiday.

According to Penn State Fayette chancellor Dr. Emmanuel I. Osagie, a multitude of veterans respond to a special call to “help protect our country and our way of life, whether serving here or across the world.”

The Rev. Alfred L. Thompson Jr., delivering the invocation, asked that peace be brought to the hearts of soldiers and the regions in which they serve and to the soldiers returning home from Iraq with “injured bodies and spirits.”

He asked that wars end and peace emerge as a way to honor veterans in the future.

“Give creative vision for a world, grown weary of fighting, to move to a peaceful world,” said Thompson.

Army Staff Sgt. Chad Lankey said on Veterans Day, he looked back at the country’s history of conflict and thought of the many who have served in those wars.

“I stand in awe of what they have done and (today’s) young soldiers, willing to stand up and defend us at a moment’s notice,” Lankey said. “Without veterans, there would be no United States of America.”

Paulette Mehalik, a veteran from Redstone Township who attended the Veterans Day observance, agreed, noting that the 40 or so people gathered Wednesday would not be able to do so if not for veterans and the freedoms they protected.

Mehalik said she knows “people who joined the service, wanting to make a better world for their children and families, and lost their lives for freedom.” This causes her to appreciate her freedom more, including the opportunity to participate in a ceremony giving thanks to veterans.

Army Sgt. Robert King, who recently completed his second tour of duty in Iraq, believes in the importance of providing his sons, Parker, 3, and seven-month-old Chase, opportunities to honor veterans.

He said members of his wife’s and his own family have served in the military and he views his sons continuing that lineage, not necessarily through serving, but by paying respect to veterans, as important.

“It’s nice to see a (college) community, not only veterans organizations, step up to support veterans and promote patriotism,” said King. “Everybody should observe today and (recognize) the significant amount of veterans who are not alive and have given the ultimate sacrifice.”

Freshman college student Derek Miller, a member of the Penn State Fayette Color Guard and Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program, understands the importance of veterans.

“The country is strong because of veterans willing to fight for America,” he said.

Miller credited the ROTC program with building his knowledge of the military. He said the group is seeking new members. Advantages to joining the program are daily workouts and learning more about the specifics of serving in the military, he said.

Pat Jones, whose daughter, Brittney, is a member of the Penn State Fayette ROTC, sees the program as a way for students to make friends, increase their desire to achieve and help them develop their identity as a person.

Brittney Jones, the only woman currently serving in the Penn State Fayette ROTC, said the program gives students an opportunity beyond their typical college experience. She joined the program to “diversify” and encouraged other women to do so, noting she is treated no differently than other members of the group.