The Vista Nov. 11, 1997

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University of Central Oklahoma

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TUESDAY

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November 11, 1997

The Student Voice Since 1903

Lest we forget Veterans' Day forgotten at UCO?

T

he eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. 1918, Armistice Day— the day World War I ended. Veteran's Day, November 11, has since been observed in most communities in Great Britain, France and the U.S. But at UCO all's quiet on the western front this year.

COMMENTARY The UCO '97-'98 calendar doesn't even list Veteran's Day. Patrick Farrimond of the office of StudentActivities said nothing was scheduled to commemorate the day at UCO. And although Edmond city offices will be closed, neither the city nor Edmond's Chamber of Commerce have commemorations scheduled, said Cathy Williams-White, director of the Edmond Convention and Visitors Bureau. The only Edmond activity that is even remotely connected to the holiday involves the dedication of a railroad overpass on Waterloo Road. Capt. Jeffrey Malloy, assistant professor of military science, said the ROTC unit will only participate in two events this year — both off campus. It will provide a color guard for MetroChurch's Sunday services, honoring veterans on Nov. 9. At 6 a.m.

on Veteran's Day, the UCO ROTC students and staff will accompany the Edmond VFW in distributing American flags throughout the Edmond area. Later that evening, the ROTC and VFW will collect the flags. Master Sgt. Doug Hensley, UCO's Army ROTC training non–commissioned officer, said he contacted both the

Edmond mayor and city manager a couple of years ago to offer the services of UCO military studies students for any activity commemorating American veterans, but Edmond officials never requested the services. Otherwise, Linda Wright, UCO's veteran's affairs coordinator, could only say there are 531 veterans taking advantage of Veteran's Administration educational benefits. UCO and Edmond

apparently haven't always been this apathetic about Veteran's Day. Dr. Dudley Ryan, vice president of student services and an army veteran, said he

remembered when UCO was more involved with it's veterans. During the Vietnam War years, and even afterwards, Student Services and the Student Senate recognized UCO students who lost their lives in the conflict, said Ryan. A plaque listing the 37 names of those servicemen was placed in the Y-Chapel during a —By Jim Hulsey Veteran's Day ceremony in 1988. Staff Writer "Student activities were more involved back then. Why not now?" asked Ryan. Jim Hulsey is a decorated Vietnam Ken Young, UCO's director of veteran affairs, and a Vietnam veteran, War combat veteran. He served with the said UCO's President George Nigh and First Cavalry Division from May, 1966 Domino's Pizza sponsored a Veteran's to May, 1967.

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Day Domino Tournament in the University Center in 1993. Twenty-four teams from Veteran Centers, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, from around the state competed for trophies and prize money. Nigh also established tournaments for veterans during his term as governor of Oklahoma. Nigh was good about having a UCO representative attend the Veteran's Day ceremonies at the Capitol each year, said Young. The owner of the Edmond Domino's franchise at the time, Linda Burgat, said she had received calls from veterans thanking her for their participation and telling her how much they enjoyed themselves. Former 9th District VFW Commander William Milam said he was aware of only three local events to commemorate the day this year. Two were in the Oklahoma City area—one at the 45th Infantry Division Museum at 36th and Martin Luther King Blvd. and the other at the Veteran's Memorial located just southeast of the State Capitol. Milam isn't impressed. "Veteran's are treated like second class citizens anymore," At least until the next war.

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SPORTS Men's basketball team wins big over Slovakians.


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