The Cameron Collegian November 16, 2015

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Collegian T he Cameron University

www.aggiecentral.com

Monday, November 16, 2015

Volume 93 Issue 9

Hometown Heroes Vicky Smith

Preserve

Managing Editor

@pinkwritinglady Since 1954, Americans have recognized United States Army. Veterans Day as a time to say “thank you” to Like Smith, McCoy has respect for the those who have fought to preserve freedom in families of veterans. the United States. “Their families sacrifice a whole At Cameron University, students lot,” McCoy said. “Personally, and faculty members joined it affected my whole life, veterans and active duty not just my dad’s life military personnel for a … Having that ceremony at 1 p.m. at support system in Veterans Grove on Nov. the family was 11. such a big deal At 2 p.m., a for him.” Remembrance Walk McCoy said took place, in which it is important participants walked to actually the Aggie Mile, where understand they observed the the real display of over 6,000 sacrifices American flags on veterans and campus. their families Staff Sergeant Eric have made. Smith, a military science “It’s not only instructor, has had four giving up your time,” - Bob Dylan deployments to Afghanistan and Singer-Songwriter McCoy said, “but it really understands the sacrifices made by is giving up your life honestly those who serve. for a certain period of time … They “I’ve spent about four years of my life can even go as far as giving up their peace of deployed and away from my family,” Smith mind; a lot of our veterans come back with said, “so for me, it’s a lot of time. I’ve missed PTSD. birthdays and holidays and events with my “Sometimes when you go down range, a family and my kids, so it’s sacrifice for myself piece of you can be left there, so it really is but also for them.” giving up your life in order to support the Smith said the families of those who serve Constitution and defend what our nation’s all can be deemed the nation’s “unsung heroes.” about.” “As the service member, I deploy or I go According to McCoy, the training he has away for training,” he said, “and I miss them, undergone as a cadet has given him a greater but they miss me as well.” appreciation for veterans. ROTC cadet Robert McCoy, a psychology “I want to stress that we are not in the major, is fifth generation military. His father military fully yet,” McCoy said, “so served 22 years as a field artillery officer in the we don’t know exactly how it is to

“I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.”

Freedom be, but [in ROTC,] they try to simulate that as best as possible. “I see how much I sacrifice in my own life, and I know that these veterans have sacrificed so, so, so much more than I have.” Junior history major Cara Belcher, who is also an ROTC cadet, said her father also served as a fielder artillery officer in the Army, and her brother has been to Iraq and Afghanistan. Belcher said she thanks veterans when she sees them throughout the year. “I will normally shake their hand and say, ‘Thank you for your service,’” she said. “But I always get really choked up.” She said when veterans would like to share their stories, students should listen. “[Sometimes,] they need someone to talk to,” Belcher said, “and I think everyone will benefit from their stories.” McCoy said although each soldier’s

story is unique, he believes each solider wants to make a difference. “It really means a lot when you take the time out to hear how they believe they made an impact on this world,” McCoy said, “—to leave it better than when they came in.” Sergeant Smith said there are many ways people can thank veterans. “If you’re a business owner, you can hire a veteran,” Smith said. “You can volunteer some of your time to veterans’ programs in your community. You can increase awareness through social media.” According to Smith, a new social media trend that demonstrates veteran support is “Greenlight a Vet.” “You replace maybe a light in your office or your workspace,” he said, “and just change it out to a green light bulb, and they’re calling that ‘Greenlight a Vet.’ “You can take of picture of your green light, and then post it on social media: #greenlightavet … You could do [that] to show that you appreciate the service on a daily basis as opposed to just one day a year.”

Photos by Jacob Jardel and CU Public Affairs

What’s inside Dancing at Nepali Night

“I can’t stand it. I just can’t stand it.”

Preview to “The Magic of Moliere.”

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