Brookhaven Courier

Issue date: 12/3/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Chris Vivero Dr. Wright Lassiter thanks and remembers soldiers on Veterans Day.

Brookhaven College students and staff joined together Nov. 14 in observance of Veterans Day. The observance was held in the S Building lobby and was followed by a lunch reception.

Dr. Wright Lassiter, Dallas County Community College District chancellor, was the special guest speaker. Lassiter said the significance of Veterans Day is to pause and reflect on the lives of those who died in service to the country and to salute those who have returned home from serving.

Lassiter spoke of his 25 years of service in the Army, during which he reached the rank of colonel. Lassiter said in his experience, next to the fear of death is the fear of boredom. There is also the fear of receiving bad news from home and being unable to do anything about it.

He said behind every veteran stands a gallant and anxious family. War creates alienation for armed forces personnel.

Lassiter talked about the Tuskegee Airmen, an elite squadron of black pilots who served in World War II. He said upon their arrival back home, they were not treated like heroes, but rather second class citizens.

The Brookhaven Student Government Association sponsored the Veterans Day observance.

Robert Caravel, vice president of BSGA who served in the military, said more people attended than expected.

"I feel like I fought for someone else's country," Caravel said. "Marines don't fight for America, but rather for someone else's freedom. I joined the Marines solely for the children, like the ones in Liberia who have had their hands cut off."

Twelve veterans, composed of Brookhaven students and staff, introduced themselves before the assembly. One such honoree, Brian Street, Air Force staff sergeant and Brookhaven student, said in his experience soldiers learn to hate civilians.

Jay Jackson, Marine veteran, said: "I felt like it was more of a racial issue than a focus on the vets. I respect the guy, but I wanted more than one speaker. I really can't relate to any branch of the military other than the Marines. Tell some funny stories, the lighter side of being in the military."

R.L. Turner High School ROTC color guard, under direction of Commander Daniel Murphy, paid special tribute to the veterans. Christian Chavarria, Lori Brennan and Jerry Sammuels of the Brookhaven Vocal Jazz Ensemble, performed "America the Beautiful" and "The Star Spangled Banner."

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