red at the 6th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov. 11 at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. 14 individuals were also inaugurated as the first inductees of the SALUTE Honor Society at TAMUK.
The Veterans Day event was organized by the TAMUK Student Veterans Association to honor the more than 100 students and other members of the campus community who have served in the military.
“It’s because of our veterans that we have the ability to have this ceremony, the freedom to do this ceremony and a country to celebrate this day with,” Shae Diehl, the president of the TAMUK Student Veterans Association and U.S. Navy Veteran said “Today is the day we celebrate the lives of the men and women who selflessly gave their lives for our country.”
The event is the first TAMUK Veterans Day Ceremony attended by President Dr. Hussey. Hussey was honored to speak at the event and expressed his gratitude for veterans at the university.
“We know that those of you who serve our country do not do it for glory or recognition but your dedication to our country and to your fellow Americans inspires us and we are grateful to you and your families for our sacrifices,” Hussey said.
At the event, Hussey also announced the renaming of the Office of Veterans Affairs to the Military and Veteran Resource Center to better reflect the services offered to veterans who attend the university.
Along with recognizing veterans, 14 veterans were inducted into the SALUTE Honor Society chapter at TAMUK. The chapter on campus will be joining the one of four campuses in the A&M system with a SALUTE chapter. Those inducted in SALUTE had to be a military or veteran student, must be currently enrolled as a student with a minimum 12 credits and a 3.0 GPA as an undergraduate or 9 credits and a 3.5 as graduate students.
11 were students- Jessica K. Allen United State Navy; Shae N. Diehl- United States Navy; Jose F. Garza III United States Army; Rafael R. Hinojosa United States Marine Corps and United States Army; Aysia Howell United States Navy; Darin Landrum United States Airforce; John W. Lawrence United States Army; Christopher Martinez United States Army; Laura R. Ochoa United States Army; Sergio O. Rodriguez United States Air Force; William P. Semler- and United States Army.
Three others were inducted as professionals who will serve as mentors for student inductees Rodney Buckwalter United States Navy; Eloy Gamez United States Marine Corps; Susan E.W. Nichols United States Army.
Inductee Aysia Howell was honored to be recognized at the ceremony.
“It feels amazing. I’ve never been recognized for any academic achievement…so it feels very amazing to be honored,” Howell said.
Retired Colonel John T. Hubert of the United States Army joined the ceremony as a guest speaker.
Hubert expressed his pride in being a veteran and encouraged attendees to reach out to a veteran in their life.
“Everyone, I ask every one of you to reach out to a fellow veteran today. To call them, text them, email them, ask them out for a cup of coffee.
Contact them in some way to tell them that their service mattered and not only that but that they matter,” Hubert said.