A trio of area veterans offered words of honor, pride, and thanks on Tuesday as Keuka College students, faculty, and staff and members of the public gathered in a packed Norton Chapel for a celebration of service in honor of Veterans Day.
“Veterans Day is more than just a day off from school or work,” said Keuka College senior Shawn Hourihan, a veteran who’s majoring in Criminal Justice en route to a law degree. “It’s a day to pause, reflect, and give thanks to the men and women who have served in the military—those who have sacrificed their time, their energy, and, for some, their lives, to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day.”
He also lauded the College for its embrace of veterans as students.
"It feels amazing to know that Keuka College is a school that ALL veterans can attend while knowing they have the support of the entire campus community," he said.
Student Senate President Connor Harding kicked off the service by thanking the veterans in attendance before introducing Assistant Director of Academic Success Initiatives Angie Champagne, who, following the Presentation of Colors, sang the National Anthem and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Penn Yan native Herbie Snyder, who served for 27 months in Vietnam with the Marines, shared some of the lessons he learned through what he described as the strongest brotherhood he has ever been a part of.
Penn Yan native and Vietnam War veteran Herbie Snyder discusses the pride and lessons that came with his military service during the ceremony. At left is the College's Coordinator of Inclusion & Belonging Gabrie'l Atchison, who introduced the day's speakers.
“I learned how to solve problems using input from all team members,” he said. “I learned to ask, ‘How are we going to do this?’ as opposed to saying that this can’t be done.”
He urged the civilians in attendance to talk to veterans; to ask them what branch of the military they served in, what it means to be part of the veteran community, and what they are most proud of.
Navy Veteran Greg Taylor, who served from 1999 to 2003 in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, thanked his fellow veterans and shared contact information for the Veterans One-Stop Center, where he is Yates County’s Peer Support Specialist. The center provides programming, services, and peer support for area veterans.
Interim Vice President for Student Development Dr. Elizabeth Lambert offered thanks and led the audience in one of several ovations for the veterans in attendance.
The veterans were introduced by Keuka College Coordinator of Inclusion & Belonging Gabrie’l Atchison. Also taking part in the ceremony were Interim Vice President for Student Development Dr. Elizabeth Lambert, who joked that she “might not be here” if her parents hadn’t met while serving in the Navy, and College Chaplain and Director of Inclusion & Belonging Eric Detar.
“Today, we honor our veterans,” he said in delivering the closing blessing. “Those who were willing to put their lives in harm’s way for people they didn’t know but for a country they loved and for principles too precious not to be defended.
“The debt we have to our veterans is great,” he continued. “We cannot repay, but we can remember.”
