the Veterans Day ceremony Wednesday in front of Bradley Hall. Photo by Maddie Gehling.
The Bradley University Veteran Support Services hosted a Veterans Day ceremony Wednesday in front of Bradley Hall. The event was dedicated to all U.S. veterans but specifically honored Stephanie Sleister and Mike Miller.
Sleister is a counseling psychologist at the U.S. department of veteran affairs, according to BUVSS Vice President Alesha Guard. Sleister has served veterans for more than 10 years and encouraged them to attend college as a way to transition from military to civilian life.
“Dr. Sleister has mentored and provided clinical supervision to thousands of veterans,” Guard, a junior communication major, said. “She has demonstrated her dedication to veterans by consistently exceeding the duties of her position.”
Due to her immense support of veterans, Sleister received a certificate of appreciation.
Miller is a highly decorated army Vietnam combat veteran, according to BUVSS President Dan Smith. He has been awarded four Purple Hearts as well as the Silver and Bronze Star for his service.
Miller received a certificate of appreciation at the ceremony and was presented with an American flag.
“Veterans Day is a time to reflect as a nation on the fundamental freedoms we posses as a society and the critical role that our military veterans have played in sustaining these freedoms,” Miller said. “Veterans have made the selfless decision to protect the rights and liberties of not only the citizens of our great nation, but also those around the world who find themselves at risk of losing these fundamental rights that all human beings are entitled to.”
Miller closed the ceremony with a quote from an unknown author he said is important to him.
“A veteran is someone who at one point in his life wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America for an amount up to and including their life,” Miller said.
“That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.”
Students in attendance said they were moved by the ceremony.
“As someone with a best friend in the Marines and an uncle whose an active member of the U.S. Navy, I felt that this event honored them in the best way possible,” senior public relations major Josephine Mallari said. “This event felt very personal to me, and it was very inspiring to see the amount of people here supporting men and women for their service.”
Guard said she was happy with the amount of students at the ceremony.
“Last year was the first time we’ve held the Veterans Day ceremony and we have like three times as many [attendees] here this year,” Guard said. “We’re really thankful to the Bradley community for helping us out and spreading the word about the event.”
Smith also said he was happy with how the event turned out.
“I think the ceremony went very well and provided the campus an opportunity to see what veterans have done for this nation,” Smith said. “We’re really appreciative of all the people who attended and recognized the sacrifices veterans have made during their military career. It is important that we acknowledge that our country wouldn’t exist the way it does today without those sacrifices.”
