Veterans Day ceremony held on campus

ETSU held a Veterans Day ceremony on Friday to honor those who have served in the military.

The ceremony was held in front of the Veterans Memorial in the Quad outside Gilbreath Hall and was organized by ETSU’s Veterans Affairs Standing Committee, the Office of Veterans Affairs, Student Veterans of America and the Department of Military Science. The ETSU marching band and the University School chorus gave performances of various patriotic songs throughout the ceremony.

“Today ETSU has 767 military-affiliated students, 91 ROTC cadets, and over 70 faculty and staff who have served, are serving or will serve this great nation,” said Sam Groomes, president of ETSU’s chapter of Student Veterans of America

Senator Rusty Crowe was a guest speaker at the ceremony. Crowe served in the U.S. Army Security Agency intercepting coded messages during the Vietnam War in the late 1960s. During his speech, Crowe told the stories of three local World War II veterans – David Purner, Dewey Crowe and John Crowe.

“It’s interesting, guys and gals, how one day you’re mowing your dad’s lawn, and the next day you’re learning to fly P-38s [military aircrafts] in World War II,” said Senator Crowe.

Purner was captured during war and managed to escape. After his service, he went to high schools to hand out pocket constitutions. John Crowe, Senator Crowe’s father, was a co-pilot of a military plane who narrowly escaped crashing and won the Distinguished Flying Cross medal. Dewey Crowe, Senator Crowe’s uncle, was a student at ETSU. Dewey Crowe’s plane collided with another during a fight over Kiska Island in 1942. His body was never recovered.

“My grandad waited for years and years thinking he might come home, but obviously he never did,” said Senator Crowe.  

Major General Leslie Purser was the ceremony’s keynote speaker. Purser, who retired from the U.S. Army Reserve in 2017, held many positions over the course of her career including commanding general of the 108^th Training Command and the Military Intelligence Readiness Command. She currently serves as a Tennessee Army Reserve Ambassador.

“Clearly, we’re all humbled by the tremendous courage shown by our brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coastees, some of whom are here today,” said Purser. “Today is a time to remember that our freedom rests on their shoulders and those who came before us. We take this time to reflect on the sacrifices and commitment of all who have served and the families that supported them.”

Purser said that all veterans, regardless of time and title, have one common bond – an oath to defend the U.S. with their lives.   

“As a veteran, whether you fought in Salerno, Samarra, Khe Sanh, the Korengal, Incheon, Bastogne or you sat behind a desk supporting one of those battles, you are part of an unbroken chain of men and women who made a difference,” said Purser. “You all have served this country with honor and distinction.”