Three loud bangs rang throughout campus on Wednesday Nov. 11. Ol’ Smokey, the cannon, was fired in honor of the ROTC’s celebration of the 101st Veterans Day. ROTC cadets marched and could be heard chanting the cadence “come on over” as they joined join the ceremony in front of College Hall.
“It was just a fun little thing we decided to put in place,” Ahern Trevino, cadet company commander, said. “I think back in the ’50s or ’60s this had been done before and we just haven’t done it since then so one of our cadets had the idea let’s revive it and have a little celebration in honor of all the veterans and those who are serving.”
During the ceremony the ROTC Color Guard lowered and retired the flag for the evening. As the flag was lowered the ROTC cadets and several others in attendance saluted and put their hands over their hearts, out of honor and respect for the flag and for those who have served and are currently serving.
“Veterans Day is a really important day because it remembers those who have served the country, those who give all that they have and that’s one reason why I joined ROTC and the Army to give back to the country,” Squad Leader and Cannon Team Commander Luke Haydon said.
Throughout the ceremony the cannon was fired three times, a common military salute.
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“Three volley salute is your standard military salute,” Cadet Daniel Duque said.
“It’s typically done at military funerals and you have the twenty-one-gun salute and that’s going to be with seven members shooting their guns three times.”
“You have pride in it, a lot of veterans will go to the game just to see Ol’ Smokey fire off a few rounds when the Javelina score; it’s what they look forward to that’s what I used to go to the games for – just to see the cannon so it’s more of a pride thing for the program and for the students as well,” Duque said of the cannon.
The ceremony ended with the ROTC cadets marching back and continuing their chant, “Come On Over.”