Veteran's Day Commemoration 1999

Western Washington University
Remarks of President Karen W. Morse
11:00 a.m.  November 11, 1999

It is a privilege today to be free to honor our colleagues, family and friends who have represented us in the armed forces.  We take so much of our freedom for granted.  Although we watch the news, and pay attention to classes, lectures, and films, most of us can't envision what it is like for the many people around the world, who do not have the luxury of going for a walk around the block, attending school, expressing dissent of praise freely, or just breathing in the fresh air and enjoying peace and quiet. We continue to enjoy these small privileges of freedom on a daily basis in no small measure because our veterans have worked to contain conflicts here and abroad.

Many of you may have noted that some of our local veterans have succeeded in arranging to bring the "Moving Wall" to Hovander Park next summer.  The "Moving Wall" is one of three half-size replicas of the Washington, DC Vietnam Veterans Memorial that have been touring the country for the past 14 years to share the memorial with those who have not had an opportunity to go to Washington DC. The Memorial is a visible reminder of how important is our effort to maintain peace.

Another visible reminder are the students and friends here today.  Our nation is best served by peace -- allowing these young people to attend college and enjoy their youth.

This day each year should be a beginning, a rebirth of our appreciation for our relative peace that is honored year-long.  I am honored to be a part of this celebration and to present this tribute to those whose efforts affect me -- affect all of us -- daily.

In closing, I want to thank the Veteran's outreach Center for organizing this ceremony.   I invite you to our reception immediately following the ceremony, to give us an opportunity for hand-to-hand gratitude for the service of our veterans and for our collective peace.