The Shippensburg University ROTC held its annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony Monday afternoon in the Old Main Chapel.
Nearly 100 people gathered for the event, including both active and retired members of the Armed Forces, students, staff and members of the SU administration.
Lt. Col. Christopher Morton, a military science professor at SU, gave the keynote address in which he reflected on who veterans truly are.
“Our veterans come from all walks of society. We come from every racial and ethnic group, every economic class, every religion and from any other group you could possibly cleave out of American society,” Morton said. “And it should be that way. America’s Army should look like the country she serves.”
He shared his own deployment experience and encouraged veterans to seek help and support when they need it.
“Wounds manifest themselves in different ways,” Morton said, referring to those who deal with post traumatic stress disorder when they return home from war.
“I urge the vets in the room to be proud of your military and combat service. Not for what you experienced, but rather for the strength and resilience that can emerge from struggle. For the growth that comes from difficultly,” Morton said.
Later in the ceremony, senior Rachael Rudis was awarded the Commander’s Award for Public Service.
“Soliders don’t fight for political causes. They fight for the people next to them and they fight for the people back home,” Morton said.
He explained the joy soldiers experience when packages from those in the states arrive.
Rudis is the founder and served as the president of Ship Stands with America’s Military from August 2019-June 2019. She coordinated the collecting and sending of care packages and cards that impacted more than 300 soldiers. The organization grew from three to 25 students and now involves the campus and greater community with its efforts.
Morton said Rudis “is instrumental” to the success of the organization.
The history major stood in shock as Morton pinned the medal to her collar.
“It’s a really big honor and obviously I was incredibly surprised,” Rudis said. “I don’t really think of me. I think of all the people who have served who gave me the opportunity to allow me to give back.”
Rudis said giving back to service members has always meant a lot to her, as her father served in the Navy.
The ceremony closed with the crowd singing “America the Beautiful” and a benediction.
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