The students were among the more than 75 people who had worked on a veteran appreciation quilt the school presented during the event.
Brianna Bowman, a Greenwood student, spoke on behalf of her classmates, thanking veterans who will never know how much we appreciate them.
Behind the students was the patriotic quilt they made in honor of veterans. They designed 8-inch squares, some of which have American flags or such sentiments as We honor you.
After the students designed their pieces, Greenwood Principal June Wade took the squares home and pieced together a 6-foot by 8-foot patchwork of red white and blue on a black background.
The students really learned what it means to be a veteran, said Greenwood teacher Jeannette Pope. They were so excited to do this.
The quilt will be displayed at the UofL Office of Military and Veteran Student Services.
The Red Barn was packed for the event with UofL staff and some of the 800 veterans who attend class at the university.
It was sponsored by the University Veterans Organization, a student group for veterans, and the Office of Military and Veteran Student Services, which opened in August.
For me, veteran’s day is more than a holiday, said USMC Maj. Gen. (Ret) Rick Huck, the keynote speaker. It is a day for remembrance and reflection.
He reminded the audience that the soldiers – mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters – all had been willing to make sacrifices in order to ensure American’s freedom.
During the event, several employees received Patriot Awards from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense organization that promotes a culture in which employers support and value the military service of their employees.
Recipients were Huck; vice provost Dale Billingsley; Joe Dablow, associate director of associate director, Office of Enrollment Management; Ann Kirwan, project coordinator-Veteran’s Affairs, registrar’s office; and Susan Hildebrand and Matt Bergman of the Workforce Leadership Program.
I want to thank this university for creating a permanent place for veterans and supporting them, said Maj. Gen.l (ret.) Bob Silverthorn of ESGR, in commending the university’s creation of the Office of Military and Veteran Student Services.