GW observed Veterans Day with a series of activities, including addresses by First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, who spoke at an event sponsored by Service Nation.
Held in Lisner Auditorium the afternoon of Nov. 11, the event was emceed by MTV’s Sway Calloway and launched MISSION SERVE: Forging a Continuum of Service, an initiative to integrate military and civilian service through partnership with more than 50 organizations.
GW President Steven Knapp and student Brian Hawthorne, staff sergeant in the United States Army Reserve and legislative director of Student Veterans of America, welcomed the standing-room-only audience. Dr. Knapp noted the University’s “longstanding and strong support of veterans,” including it being the first university to accept the original GI Bill after World War II and its significant commitment to the Post-9/11 GI bill’s Yellow Ribbon Program, one of the largest in the nation.
Col. (Ret.) Robert L. Gordon III, chair of MISSION SERVE and senior vice president for civic leadership for City Year, spoke of the “proud tradition of serving those who serve our nation.” Col. Gordon presented the first Service Nation Award for Excellence in Military and Civilian Service to Alma J. Powell, chair of America’s Promise Alliance and wife of former Secretary of State and General Colin Powell, M.B.A. '71, for her “leadership and dedication to our nation.”
“It is with great humility that I share this with the many military families and countless Americans who work every day to make the world a better place for those around them,” said Mrs. Powell, who called service “essential to America’s vitality.”
In her remarks, Jill Biden discussed the military service of her son, Beau Biden, and the administration’s commitment to veterans’ issues. “The concerns of military veterans are our top priority,” said Dr. Biden. “There is a role for each and every one of us in supporting our military.”
Dr. Biden introduced Michelle Obama, who praised the University for already charting more than 19,000 hours of community service toward its commitment of 100,000 hours in exchange for Mrs. Obama’s promise to speak at GW’s commencement. “If you keep it up, maybe I’ll see you in May,” she said.
Mrs. Obama discussed her experiences meeting veterans and their families nationwide. “One of the greatest privileges I have is meeting with service members all across America,” she said. “I come away with a sense of pride and inspiration but also with a sense of awe--the awe of sacrifice.
“For many of these folks, service is the air they breathe... They want to make their entire life a tour of duty,” she continued. “Our veterans have what it takes for success, and we must give them the opportunities.”
Veterans, volunteers and leaders from a variety of organizations committed to veteran services--including Blue Star Families, Target, Bank of America and Big Brother, Big Sister--spoke at the event. Veterans and their families also shared their experiences in The Telling Project, a performance that capped a day of activities that began with a wreath-laying ceremony in the Marvin Center’s Great Hall.
The wreath-laying featured GW student veterans, invited speaker Lt. Col. (Ret.) Clark Welch, Senior Vice President for Student and Academic Support Services Robert Chernak and Brian Hawthorne.
“With all that GW has done to make it easier for us here, there is still more to be done, but the leadership here is committed to supporting us,” said Mr. Hawthorne.
Dr. Chernak, who served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, told the audience that his experience losing friends in combat was deeply affecting. “I think that personal experience gives [the day] a special meaning to me when we celebrate those who have so courageously and bravely displayed the patriotism of serving in the military,” he said. “We have so many students, faculty, staff and alumni who have served their country, and we honor them.”
In his address, Lt. Col. Welch, who who was recently nominated for the Medal of Honor, the highest military declaration in the United States, said, “It’s a privilege to be here, to bring recognition, honor and my personal thanks to today’s veterans on this Veterans Day."
Following the ceremony, volunteers from the GW community assembled care packages for troops at a fair hosted by Blue Star Families. Co-sponsors included Target and the PBS documentary “This Emotional Life.” Participants packed bags with entertainment items, including digital key chains and DVDs, and penned personal letters to the troops thanking them for their service.
“The care package event was a really nice opportunity to get involved with service to veterans,” says freshman Lily Horton, who joined her friends at the event in between classes. “The handwritten note was really special because it was a note of encouragement in my own voice.”
GW recently announced its first major gift specifically earmarked for student veterans. The $100,000 QuikClot Scholarship from Z-Medica Corporation, a medical device company that provides lifesaving medical supplies to U.S. military troops, was established under the guidance of Z-Medica CEO and GW alumnus Brian Herrman. The scholarship will support GW’s commitment to the Yellow Ribbon Program, a new provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act that provides free or significantly-reduced tuition to qualifying veterans.