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Honor veterans this week

November 5, 2021

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I. The following year many countries recognized that date as Armistice Day, which became a federal holiday in the United States in 1938, and was eventually renamed Veterans Day following the Korean War.

While Memorial Day honors service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle, history.com notes that, "Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans—living or dead—but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime."

While the Coronavirus Pandemic has changed the way we gather and celebrate important occasions, like Veterans Day, it is right to take time to observe this important National Holiday and express our gratitude to those men and women who have served honorably in the military. This year the Veterans Committee, Venango Veterans Club, Clarion ROTC and the Student Veterans Association are combing their efforts to recognize and celebrate our Veterans.

Beginning  at 4:58 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7, with the lowering of the flag, Clarion ROTC cadets will be raising and lowering the flag, at 7:58 a.m. and 4:58 p.m., at the Carrier flag pole through Thursday, Nov. 11.

Author Greg Keeney '92 will present "Opportunity, Unity and Selfless Service" at 5 p.m. Veteran's Day, Nov. 11, in Hart Chapel. It also will be available on Zoom at: https://clarion.zoom.us/j/92355500267#success.

Keeney is the author of the award-winning children's illustrated book Mark's Special Mission in Arlington National Cemetery," that eloquently explains the circumstances, pageantry and the ceremonial nature of the U.S. Army Old Guard Caisson Platoon's mission in this historic cemetery.

He is president and founder of Mark's Special Mission Foundation, a non-profit assisting other military veteran and family-oriented non-profits. Over the years, he has proudly partnered with many non-profits as part of his philanthropic mission to give back to military veterans and their families.

Keeney grew up in Littlestown, Pennsylvania, near Gettysburg, where he developed his love of horses and appreciation of military history. After graduation, he obtained a B.A. in political science from Clarion University in 1992, and a M.A. in national security studies at the American Military University, Charles Town, West Virginia, in 2009.

His military service includes the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1987-1993 and the United States Army from 1993-2020. He is a combat veteran of Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1990-1991) and served multiple combat tours in Afghanistan (2006-2011) and Iraq/Syria (2005-2017). He resides in Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife, Kelly, and their three boys.

The Bell Tower will play the National Anthem each day at 7:58 a.m. as ROTC cadets raise the flag and at 4:58 p.m. as the cadets lower the flag. On Veterans' Day, the Bell Tower will play the following selections:

  • 8:32 a.m. U.S. Army Theme (aka Field Artillery March, aka The Caisson Song)
  • 10:02 a.m. U.S. Air Force Theme (aka Wild Blue Yonder)
  • 11:32 a.m. U.S. Marine Corps Theme (aka The Marines' Hymn)
  • 1:02 p.m. U.S. Navy Theme Song (aka Anchors Aweigh)
  • 2:32 p.m. U.S. Coast Guard Theme (aka Semper Paratus)

Venango Campus will honor veterans with Flags for the Fallen from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Veterans Day. Susan Hileman will be the speaker at 11 a.m. She served in the U.S. Air Force from 1979-82 and is the president of RED Day Communications.

Flags for the Fallen is an event dedicated to all veterans and their families who have given so much.  The 296 flags are placed in front of Suhr Library as a memorial to each one of our Commonwealth’s heroes, who sacrificed their lives during Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  

Flags dotting this campus represent those from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who fought and died in all wars. They are memorials to those special Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen who gave their all.  

The “Walk of Remembrance” is the flag lined sidewalk between Frame and Montgomery Hall. Think of a loved one, comrade, or special person as you view this simple but somber reminder of service to our country.

The Clarion University Veterans Committee hopes everyone will find a way on Nov. 11 to honor those who have served this country.

Last Updated 11/8/21