By Steve Nye
In honor of BYU veterans, Army and Air Force ROTC cadets participated in the annual Patriots? Week ceremony on campus Thursday.
More than 300 cadets dressed in full uniform stood at attention as the flag just south of the Administration Building was lowered to half-mast.
Cannon fire echoed across campus while cadets placed a wreath at the base of the flagpole and read the names of more than 200 BYU servicemen and women who have died in battle.
?Patriots? Week is designed to instill in students and cadets a sense of awe and respect for those who have gone before and those who are about to go to war,? said Lt. Col. Whitney.
ROTC cadets stood guard throughout the night and will continue to guard the wreath until 5:30 this evening. When the flag is taken down, the wreath will be removed, officially ending Veterans Day.
For ROTC cadets, participating in Patriots? Week is a great opportunity, said Todd Cooper, commander of troops in the Army ROTC.
?It?s a way for Army and Air Force ROTC cadets to pay tribute and honor to the people who serve in the military now and who have served in the military,? Cooper said. ?It?s a good opportunity for students to be reminded of what people do for them.?
As part of the Patriots? Week ceremony, ROTC cadets presented Dean Ned Hill with the Patriot Award, an award given to community and university leaders for supporting the ROTC program.
As dean of the Marriott School, Hill serves as steward of the ROTC.
?I am so proud of all that you do,? Hill said to student cadets. ?You are the elite units of ROTC and are admired all over the country.?
As one who served in the military for a short time, Hill admonished cadets to never be afraid to practice correct principles and to never be afraid to share the gospel with others.
?Most importantly, always remember that you have a Heavenly Father who knows you and loves you,? he said.
Following the award presentation, President Samuelson pronounced a blessing upon the cadets.
?We commend you, not only for the goodness of your lives, but for the service you will render throughout your lives,? he said.
