(September 11, 2010)-A large crowd gathered at Shippensburg University during a Student Veterans of America-led September 11 ceremony and listened to guest speaker Maj. Gen. Gregg F. Martin, commandant of the U.S. Army War College, as he encouraged young people to continue the legacy of service to the nation.
"Among us today are students who set aside their personal plans and deployed with Pennsylvania Guard and Reserve units. There are school teachers who put their lives, careers, and families on hold to do the nation's business. There are R.O.T.C. cadets here who are prepared to serve the nation's needs. This, truly, is an act of service to fellow Americans - to raise your hand and affirm that you will execute the will of the people as determined by our elected leaders," he said.
Shippensburg resident Jeff Tate, whose son is involved with the Boy Scout Troop that was in attendance, said he feels it's important for younger generations to get involved with 9-11 ceremonies.
"My son is only 11 years old and he doesn't remember what happened that day, so I think it is important to get involved with these kinds of things so younger generations never forget what happened," he said. "They need to gain an understanding of what happened and of the sacrifices we make."
Service to the nation and remembering service members' sacrifice were exactly what Martin urged the audience to support.
"I believe it's our duty to remember those who died in our service. If we value our life, we must value their death. When we honor their lives, their commitments, and their values, it's the least we can do for those who gave the most," Martin said.
The event was organized by members of the Student Veterans of America organization, a local chapter formed by Sgt. Josh Lang, a Shippensburg University student and a member of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment of the 104th, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania Army National Guard with a deployment to Afghanistan under his belt.
"When I was overseas I felt very proud to be serving our nation and when I came back, people were very supportive, but as more and more years pass by, I think people are forgetting what we are fighting for over there," said Lang. "I think people also forget what service members go through every day when we are over there and later, when we get back."
Lang said it meant a lot to the veterans and students in attendance to have support from prominent figures in addition to Martin: Retired Army Col. James Powers, Director of Homeland Security for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Dr. Denny Terrell, vice president of administration and finance for Shippensburg University; and retired Marine Corps Lt. Col. Barbara Cross, Cumberland County commissioner.
"It means that people do care and people want to have other members of the community remember September 11, 2001 and what our service members continue to do every day over there," said the Afghanistan veteran.
Martin called American service members "amazing," and acknowledged that many wear multiple hats, not just a Kevlar helmet.
"An amazing thing about our service members is what they have done for people they don't even know," he said. "They have been equally engaged in projects for children, and education, and justice.
These guys and gals can do anything."
A wreath was laid in memory of the lives lost during and since the September 11, 2001 attacks and a salute to veterans included local military and veteran organizations such as the Shippensburg University Army ROTC; the Shippensburg VFW and American Legions color guard and rifle units.
The event capped off a weeklong effort at Shippensburg University to recognize former and current service members who have served and still serve the United States. According to the Shippensburg Student Veterans of America, approximately 5,000 American flags on one foot poles, representing the service members who have died during the War on Terror will be displayed.
Maj. Gen. Gregg F. Martin is the 48th commandant of the U.S. Army War College, located at historic Carlisle Barracks in Carlisle, Pa.
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