On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, Blackburn College and the Carlinville community gathered together in Clegg Chapel to honor all those who fought and served.
The 12th annual Veterans Day Convocation was attended by 250-300 students, faculty and staff as well as various members of the community, according to Senior Director of Development and class of ‘73 alumnus Nate Rush. The presentation and retrieval of colors was provided by the Color Guard of the Carlinville American Legion Guy Baird Post 554.
Rush provided opening remarks then later announced the distinguished alumni veterans and recognized the veterans present. The opening and closing prayers and litany for veterans were provided by Rev. Dr. Carter Aikin, Chair of Philosophy and Religion at Blackburn.
The colors retrieved during the Veterans Day Convocation in Clegg Chapel
The Blackburn College choir, directed by Dr. Elizabeth Zobel and accompanied by Dr. Joseph Welch, made an appearance. The choir sang both “River in Judea” at the start of the ceremony and the traditional “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” at close. “Taps” was played by community member Bill Hoff.
Senior Student Marshal Nate Kinnison was responsible for introducing the guest speaker, veteran and class of ‘57 alumnus Richard (Dick) Holm. Born in Chicago and raised in Elmhurst, Illinois, Holm had a 35-year career in the CIA. Holm was dispatched to various locations, including Laos, the Republic of the Congo and Paris. During an aerial reconnaissance mission, Holm’s plane crashed, and he was severely burned and blinded. He was rescued 10 days later and began a three-year rehabilitation process before being stationed in Hong Kong for 12 years. Holm was instrumental in anti-terrorist operations and was recognized for his sacrifices. He has received many awards for his service, including the Distinguished Intelligence Medal, the highest honor the CIA can bestow.
“It’s very warming for me to see the kinds of values and the kinds of people that are here,” remarked Holm. He described the history of Veterans Day and its transition from Armistice Day to the holiday that is commemorated today. He then went on to honor individual veterans as well as all those who are currently serving. He also recognized first responders, police officers, firefighters and members of SWAT teams.
While Holm had many thanks and praises to give, he also expressed “laments” for the country, including the recent controversy sparked by several professional athletes refusing to stand and acknowledge the flag during the national anthem. “Regrettably there are now some individuals that feel compelled to reject the long-standing tradition to stand and honor, put your hand over your heart when our national anthem is played. To me [that is] serious; it’s disrespect not only to those symbols but to the veterans that in many ways fought for those things, served for those things…While I know that it is their right to free speech and free action not to stand up, it is absolutely the wrong thing to do.”
He also called for the veterans administration to “get its act together” and “rebuild from the bottom up, if necessary” to provide the kinds of assistance that veterans deserve. Holm concluded, “This is the day when all of us… patriotic Americans need to think about and appreciate and honor all of our veterans.”
Junior elementary major Magin Judd attended and enjoyed the ceremony. “It was a beautiful service,” said Judd. “I enjoyed the connections Mr. Holm made about sitting in the same chapel, and how comfortable he must have been to share his personal opinions on what was happening in the world today.”
“It is always amazing to see how many people’s lives are touched by the lives of veterans,” she added.
After the convocation, students and veterans were invited to meet with Holm during the Thanksgiving meal provided in the ADRs in the Demuzio Campus Center. Veterans in attendance ate courtesy of the college.