DUBOIS – Veterans Day was observed at Penn State DuBois on Wednesday with a ceremony in the student union organized by the campus Veterans Club.
The campus choir opened the ceremony with the Star Spangled Banner, and sang a selection of patriotic classics throughout the service.
Veterans Club President Clinton Goodwen spoke, offering a history of Veterans Day, noting that the holiday was enacted in 1954 to honor all Americans who have served in the armed forces. Previously known as Armistice Day, the 11th day of the 11th month originally commemorated the end of World War I.
Vice president of the Veterans Club Anthony Halm spoke as well. He offered his personal perspective on honoring veterans and expressed his gratitude for his fellow military members present and past.
“My fellow veterans, you have accomplished a major achievement even if you didn’t deploy to a combat zone, and I’m proud to be in a brotherhood with you,” Halm said.
“I’m proud that on July 7, 2009 I enlisted in the U.S. Army knowing that I was putting my life on the line each and every day. I’m proud for having served in the Army because I have created a legacy for my family, being and Afghan War vet.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau there are 21.8 million veterans in the United States.