Veterans Day is observed every Nov. 11 and is an official holiday of the United States. To celebrate and honor Veterans Day, several events have been organized to encourage people at Fort Lewis College to take a moment out of their busy lives and remember and appreciate our country’s service men and women.  

“I think it’s important to recognize Veterans Day all over the country,” said Nancy Stoffer, an organizer of the events and coordinator of diversity programming on campus. “We should all step out of our normal hustle and bustle and recognize those in service for this one day.  They’ve given us a big chunk of their life, and we should be able to give them some time today.”

Stoffer’s father, 91 years old, served in World War II, and her uncle served on the battlefields of Vietnam.

A wife, daughter and granddaughter of veterans, Martha Roberts feels very strongly about Veterans Day.

Roberts has also lost two friends serving in the military overseas.

“It’s almost as if a debt has been paid,” Roberts said.

The repercussions that our veterans face are lifelong, and we need to recognize that those repercussions affect their family members too.

“Fort Lewis students have a lot of family members in combat, and I’ve been really moved by that,” Stoffer said.

It is important to recognize veterans on days other than Veterans Day as well, Roberts said.

Rezhan Antonio, a biology major at FLC, said his great grandfather on his father’s side was a First Class Marine Corps who served in World War II as one of the 29 original code talkers.  

He gave a lot for his family, his country and his people, and I honor him, Antonio said.

“Thank a veteran today and everyday,” Roberts said. “They deserve it.”

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Student Union lobby, come honor the veterans in your life. On the Path of Honor board, you are encouraged to write the name of a veteran you would like to remember.  

An event later this evening will host four veterans who will discuss what Veterans Day means to them. Students are encouraged to attend the event at 6 p.m. in the Vallecito room.