The Boston College community commemorated the service and sacrifice of the nation's veterans Friday morning with a campus mass in St. Igntatius Church and an honorary ceremony on the Burns Lawn.
The day's proceedings began with a Veterans Remembrance Mass presided by Rev. Anthony Penna, S.J., and veterans Deacon John St. George, BC '67, Deacon William Blazek, S.J., and Rev. Paul McNellis, S.J. In his homily, Penna related a story from John McCain's experience as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, touching on the unique patriotism of one of McCain's fellow soldiers. The soldier, throughout his time in captivity, sewed together an American flag from uniform threads, repeating the task even after being brutally beaten for the act. Penna encouraged the congregation to turn that sort of devotion demonstrated in military service to engendering peace at home.
"Are you as dedicated to the gospel values as you are to the values of this country?" Penna said. "That commitment has the power to transform the world as only God can imagine."
The commemoration continued on the Burns Library Lawn during a stirring ceremony honoring American veterans. The service began with the Posting of the Colors, the National Anthem, and a moment of silence for all those who had served the country in combat. As the wind blew on the crisp fall day, only the tolling of Gasson Hall's bells could be heard during the solemn minute of reflection.
Colonel David Clark, BC '81, was the featured speaker at the ceremony. An Army Director of Foreign Intelligence, Clark spoke about lessons learned at BC, the significance of Veterans Day to him, and his hopes for making America's future brighter through social and educational improvement.
"Boston College rescued me from an uncertain future," Clark said. "The skills and lessons I learned at the Heights allowed me to flourish."
In discussing his rise from Boston's lower class to success in the Army, Clark cited the transformative effect of education. He touched on the need for promoting domestic prosperity, education, and well-being in order to have a robust and effective armed forces going forward.
"America's greatness is by no means guaranteed," Clark said. "What fuels us is our economy, and that is inspired by quality education."
Clark, the director of the Department of Defense's 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee, finished by stressing the need to honor all servicemen, even those in so-called "forgotten" conflicts, like the Korean War.
"Our job is, in some small way, to reverse 60 years of neglect," Clark said, referring to the Korean War veterans he hopes to champion in his efforts.
The ceremony was highlighted by the reading of the names of all members of the BC community who had lost their lives in military service. Members of the BC Army ROTC read the names of the 209 BC alumni who died in service to their country, in wars stretching from World War I to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. After the names of the fallen from each conflict were read, a veteran from the audience rose and said they would "stand for those who gave their lives," in military service.
The spirit of remembrance transcended generations Friday, as was evidenced by the mosaic of veterans, active duty servicemen, and ROTC students filling the Burns Lawn. Marine Option Midshipman Neil Howell, posted the American flag during the ceremony and spoke of the significance of the event to him.
"It was a pleasure to be part of the ceremony recognizing a day so important to our veterans and their families," Howell said. "I think it's great that BC takes the time to recognize those who have gone before us: those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we may live today.
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