TO THE EDITOR:
Inspired by a letter to the editor Nov. 5 by Matt Cheek, I felt the need to address some of the concerns and issues mentioned.
I appreciate the desire to have brothers and sisters in arms be recognized for service and sacrifice to our great country. I agree that we, Americans and the University of North Carolina, can never do enough to thank those brave souls who have served or died defending freedom and those who have sworn to serve.
UNC recognizes and honors service members, but has recently renewed its vigor in this capacity. Military Appreciation Day, the most discernible event honoring our armed forces, can seem to be a singular recognition of veterans; however, UNC does much more than a ceremonial football game.
Veteran-related events and audiences are ever increasing, as there are going to be MADs for basketball and baseball. UNC holds an annual Veterans’ Day Ceremony, coordinated by the ROTC departments, which will be held Nov. 11 at 11:11 a.m. outside Memorial Hall near the Veterans Memorial. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place in Hill Hall.
The summer of 2013, UNC appointed Brian Papajcik, assistant dean of students, to manage veterans’ resources in order to ensure accommodations and faculty education be provided. Jan Benjamin, the University GI Bill services official, is available to assist students with education benefits.
The Student Veterans Organization is on the mend, with a combat-experienced Army ROTC cadet acting as a president of the organization.
ROTC cadets have various backgrounds, so Mr. Cheek’s statement that to honor them with applause is to honor “cadets, who have never served a day in our armed forces,” would be incorrect.
Active duty, National Guard and Reserve service members are a great percentage of ROTC programs. Some have served up to 10 years in service and several combat deployments overseas.
