Washburn University honors veterans at 39th annual ceremony

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Veterans and community members gathered at Washburn University’s Memorial Union on Wednesday for the 39th annual Veterans Day ceremony.

The ceremony began at 11:11 A.M. with the theme “Unified by Service.” Highland Park High School’s JROTC presented the colors, the Capital City Chorus sang the national anthem and an Armed Forces medley, and the Standing Bear Intertribal Brotherhood performed “We Fought For This Country.”

For Marine Corps veteran Randall Carnegie, Nov. 11th is also his birthday. He served for four years and said Wednesday was the first time he attended Washburn’s ceremony and was touched by the community.

“You get choked up,” Carnegie said. “It’s a wonderful feeling that they acknowledge the sacrifices that we and our families have made.”

U.S. Navy veteran Steven Bundy honored the day by handing out pins to those who served in the Vietnam War.

Washburn gave out orange carnations to guests as they were exiting the room to honor veterans affected by Agent Orange. The university added the tribute to its ceremony in 2008.

Rick Souter, the ceremony’s keynote speaker and former Army chaplain, explained why remembering and representing those affected by the agent is important.

“Agent Orange is a toxic chemical agent, and it killed and injured a lot of people,” Souter said. “I think the carnations are important because they remind us of what our troops had to survive not only during the time of battle but in the years since.”

Washburn has five veteran memorials on campus. Memorial Plaza, just south of Morgan Hall, honors all six military branches and nurses who served.