Patriotic music and moments of stark silence filled ETSU’s Martha Street Culp Auditorium Saturday night, with the official chapter induction of the Association of the United States Army’s Tri State Chapter TN/VA/NC (AUSA), and a tribute to those who perished on Sept. 11, 2001.
Hosted by the ETSU Military Science Department, the evening was filled with joy and emotion.
The night began with the singing of “The Star Spangled Banner” by Law and Grace, a choral group comprised of Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department officers.
The official induction ceremony for the Tri State Chapter of AUSA was dedicated to those soldiers who are currently serving the United States as members of the Armed Forces.
Acknowledgments were also paid to their families, as well as to all veterans who have served this nation, especially those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
The Sept. 11 memorial tribute was dedicated to Chief James B. “Jim” Gargan and those who perished in the name of freedom in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a remote field in Shanksville, Penn., three years ago.
The new AUSA Tri State Chapter was only a dream a year ago, but with the unremitting effort and insistence of its new president Lee Fish and her army of volunteers, that dream became a reality.
“I love this country, and I love the United States Army,” Fish said in her inaugural address.
The evening’s welcoming address was delivered by Lt. Col. Craig E. Terry, professor and chair of Military Science at ETSU.
“Since the inception of Army ROTC at ETSU, the department has commissioned 1,360 officers,” Terry said. “Ten of these paid the ultimate sacrifice and were killed in the line of duty while serving in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf.”
Loyalty, duty, respect, honor, integrity and personal courage were just some of the words used to describe the ROTC cadets of ETSU.
“Our cadets have chosen an honorable and important profession,” Terry said.
The keynote address was given by retired Lt. Gen. Roger Thompson, vice president of meetings and membership at AUSA national.
“Sept. 11 affects each of us in a very personal way,” Thompson said.
“Today we gather not only to pay tribute to those who fell on that day and those who have served since, but to celebrate the charter of this chapter of the Association of the United States Army. Both of them epitomize two essential American characteristics, selfless service and devotion.”
Thompson introduced a special video prepared by the ROTC cadets of ETSU, showing their pride of becoming future officers in the United States Army.
A reverent silence fell over the crowd during the final scene, which pictured the ROTC Buccaneer Battalion dressed in camouflage, while Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” played in the background.
The most stirring moment of the evening was the unveiling of a small portion of the fuselage of Flight 175. Flight 175 was one of two doomed aircraft which slammed into the World Trade Center three years ago.
The tiny fragment of this enormous aircraft with only two visible portholes remaining brought an immediate and deafening silence to the audience. The silence was beautifully interrupted when John Shell played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes.
The evening concluded with the folding of an American flag which had been draped over the portion of Flight 175’s fuselage.
As the ETSU ROTC Honor Detail folded the flag, “Taps” was performed by the ETSU Trumpet Ensemble, directed by Dr. David Champouillon, assistant professor of music. The folded flag was then presented to Lee Fish, who placed it next to the fuselage fragment and saluted.
“We all must contribute in some small way to win the war on terrorism,” Fish said. “May God bless America and as always, ‘Let’s Roll!'”
AUSA is a private, non-profit educational organization that supports America’s Army, Active, National Guard, Reserve, Civilians, Retirees and family members. Visit their web site at www.ausa.org.
To learn more about the ETSU ROTC program, visit their web site at www.etsu.eduarmyrotc.

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