PSU's Annual Veteran's Day Remembrance Service
Students, faculty, staff and community members join together to celebrate those who served and those serving today
Elizabeth Barden
Editor in Chief
VP Hundrieser speaking at the Veteran's Day Remembrance Service
CLOCK PHOTO/JACK ROBERTS
On Tuesday, Nov. 10, Plymouth State University held its annual Veteran’s Day Remembrance Service on the Veteran Common outside of Hyde Hall.
Students, faculty, staff and members of the community were welcomed with the National Anthem performed by Victoria Jollimore.
Katherine Tardif, Catholic campus minister for PSU, began the ceremony with an opening prayer, honoring those who serve and their families and blessing families with a safe return home for their loved ones who are away.
Vice President, Dr. Jim Hundrieser followed the prayer by recollecting on past services. “Today we honor those who have recently volunteered to serve in the armed forces and we honor those who were drafted or volunteered to serve in the earlier past of last century.”
He spoke about the students at PSU who serve and tells everyone about how he’s never run unto a drafted student who wasn’t humble and grateful for the opportunity to serve. “It makes me pause,” said Hundrieser.
“Today while we shouldn’t say thank you for serving, we need to say thank you for performing the ultimate volunteer service our country knows,” said Hundrieser. “It is indeed the ultimate community service and thanks to the current men and women currently serving throughout the world.”
Rocco Collura, PSU Veterans Service Center student coordinator and New Hampshire National Guardsman, then asked the crowd to join him for a moment of silence to remember the veterans who never made it home. Shortly after, Taps was played.
“This event meant a lot to me to put on, not so much for my own satisfaction but to do justice to all of the Veterans that don't get the recognition that they deserve,” said Collura. “It is so easy to pass a veteran on the streets and not know because when there wearing their civilian clothes they blend in better than any camouflage out there.”
“This year went a lot smoother than when I used to do it,” said Matthew Moher, PSU alumni, active soldier and former Veterans Service Center student coordinator. “He knew what was needed and he nailed it.”
Dom Medaglia-Brown, residential director of Langdon Woods said, “I will go every year. I’m just moved by it.”