Each day as I arrive at my office, I am privileged to be greeted by veterans. On the wall immediately outside my office is a photo of 44 young Navy men who studied Japanese at the University of Colorado at Boulder during World War II. The photo serves to remind me of the university's long connection to national service and to our many veterans who have given so much.
On Veterans Day we pause to honor these generations of extraordinary Americans for their service and sacrifices for our country while protecting the freedoms we cherish. Veterans are the men and women we know as friends, neighbors, relatives and colleagues who have served our nation in its hour of need and in extraordinary ways. They are our faculty, staff and students, and they are integral to CU's history.
In 1947, Colorado Governor Lee Knous proclaimed the University of Colorado Student Union building still in planning stages as a memorial to "those who served in these great wars." Thereafter, the University Memorial Center (UMC) has stood in tribute to all Colorado veterans, men and women, who have served or are currently serving our country.
A Veterans Lounge, established on the second floor of the UMC, displays dedication plaques which memorialize University of Colorado students who have died in our nation's conflicts, as well as Colorado citizens who died in Vietnam, Korea, and the Persian/Gulf Wars. There is also a plaque recognizing CU's involvement in the naval language school referenced earlier. The UMC is currently working with CU's Department of Veterans Affairs to create dedication plaques in memory of those Coloradans involved in current conflicts.
Today, our veterans bring the character they developed in uniform to the communities where they live and work, and that includes the CU-Boulder community. America has needed citizens like these in every generation and every generation has had citizens answer the call when needed. Our veterans are a national treasure that continues to inspire us.
Veterans Day is a day of respect, of homage and gratitude. Please join me in taking time to thank our veterans on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
G.P. "Bud" Peterson, Chancellor
University of Colorado at Boulder
