Editorial: Vets Vigil was powerful memorial

By The East Texan editorial board

On November 17, 2009

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In an age where celebrities are viewed as role models and statues of sports stars are erected in cities, words like "hero" and "bravery" can sometimes lose their meaning.

The Veterans Vigil held on the Texas A&M University-Commerce campus this week, however, was a truly awe-inspiring reminder of the sacrifice millions of our countrymen have made for us so we can have the freedom often taken for granted.

It was clear from the outset the organizers of the week's events gave considerable thought to constructing meaningful memorials that compelled those who saw them to stop and take a moment to remember. The image of a serviceman standing on guard in front of the Vigil Flame and the empty table set for POWs in the middle of our campus made for a powerful image we hope won't soon be forgotten.

We applaud the efforts of Connie Mears and the Veterans Vigil committee. The event was not contrived and not superficial, but a legitimately heartfelt display of appreciation for all veterans of the U.S. armed services, both for those still with us and those who sadly are not.

The Veterans Vigil represented a somber, thoughtful memorial with its constant burning flame and also managed to draw out a feeling of honest patriotism as students both watched and felt the rumble of the F-16s flight over campus.

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