Issue date: 11/10/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Casey Hilder

When his brigade besieged Baghdad in 2003, Capt. Lee Simmons said he saw nothing but heroism from his soldiers.

"The heroism of our soldiers in combat is an awesome thing to see," said Simmons, who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom as a field artillery officer. "I saw daily heroism through all the ranks, from privates all the way up to officers."

Simmons, who is now an Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps instructor at The University of Memphis, is one of many veterans who will be honored today on campus for Veteran's Day.

The University of Memphis will kick off its Veteran's Day celebration at 6 a.m. with a run around campus starting at Memorial Field near the Elma Roane Field House. The run will include more than 100 Army, Navy and Air Force ROTC cadets.

Air Force cadet Carlos Russ said the jog was a great way for cadets to show support for the veterans in the community.

"They deserve respect, and we need to show it," he said. "People are working 24/7 to protect us, and we need to honor that."

Those who attend the celebration will observe a moment of silence at 11 a.m. in the student plaza for soldiers who have died in the line of duty. Patriotic music will then be played until 1 p.m.

Capt. Robert Wickham, Marine officer instructor, said ROTC cadets will be working with University staff during the celebration.

"We will be helping The University and President Raines throughout the day," he said. "We will be at the event in the student plaza, and we are doing a number of color guard activities as well."

The U of M will host an informal meet-and-greet for student veterans.

Geraldine Young-Taylor, coordinator of veteran services, said student veterans can meet in room 220 of Brister Hall at 11 a.m., where they will watch a slideshow presentation about the burdens that veterans face upon returning to civilian life.

"The event is very informal," Young-Taylor said. "It's more of an open house where veterans get to meet and greet one another."

Simmons said U of M veteran services does a great job helping those who wish to further their education beyond their military training.

"They do a good job of helping veterans use their benefits to go to school, get an education and improve their lot in life," he said.

This is the fourth year The U of M has organized a Veteran's Day celebration.

Carl Miller Jr., student assistant of veteran services, said the event is designed to help veterans who are attending The University. Miller served in the Army during Operation Desert Shield as a heavy wheel mechanic and a 50-caliber machine gunner.

"It shows that we appreciate them, and we acknowledge that they want to continue their education," he said.

Schaefer Rowe, graduate law student at The U of M, said Veteran's Day reminded him of his grandfather, who served in World War II.

"It is important to recognize the sacrifices they make so that we can enjoy the liberties that we do," he said.

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