In honor of service

In spite of the rain, Heidelberg University and community members honored military service men and women Friday morning, during its annual Veterans Day Ceremony outside of Beeghly Library. The ceremony was hosted by Heidelberg University Student Senate. "This is an important ceremony," Robert Huntington, Heidelberg president, said during his opening remarks. Huntington provided a brief history of how Veterans Day first came to be. In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day, which honored those who served during World War I. In 1938, it was then declared Veterans Day, which would then honor all veterans, "Which is why we are here," Huntington said. "We pause for a moment of reflection on the tremendous sacrifice all veterans have made," he continued. Huntington said since the founding of the United States, there have been 41 million veterans with 18 million veterans alive today. During the ceremony, Vietnam War veteran Richard "Dick" Nolte delivered the Veterans Day address. Nolte studied civil engineering at the University of Toledo in the late 1960s. In 1968, Nolte was called to serve and was selected to attend the United States Army Infantry Officers Candidate School. After commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant, he went through Jungle Operations Survival Training in the Panama Canal Zone. He was later deployed to Vietnam where he was assigned to the 101st Airborne/Airmobile Division based near the Imperial capital city of Hue'. During his tour of duty, he served as a platoon leader in the field. After completing his military service, Nolte was promoted to Captain USAR and honorably discharged. His awards include the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Air Medal, Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal. During his address, Nolte provided a brief history of Vietnam and talked about the work he does with the Vietnam Veterans of America, which helps to provide assistance to veterans who are in need of healthcare and compensation they are entitled to. "If not for the VVA, Agent Orange would not have become an issue," Nolte said. He also mentioned the VVA helps provide PTSD awareness. During the ceremony, Heidelberg students Jayce Porter (Class of 2023) sang the "National Anthem" and Zaria Keys (Class of 2023) sang "Lift Every Voice." In addition, the United Veterans Council delivered the Presentation of Colors and 3 Volley Salute.