Moment of Remembrance

Several of the Detachment Members and I attended the "Moment of Remembrance" event that was sponsored by the W&M Veterans Society on Thursday afternoon. Erin Zagursky over at WM News (and also a Coast Guard Auxiliarist) wrote a really nice article for www.wm.edu. WAVY 10 news also did an article and provided television coverage. (Photo credit to Stephen Salpukas of WM News.)

Though the Coast Guard Auxiliary's mission, and, by extension, the mission of our students in the Detachment is humanitarian--Auxiliarists don't "go to war"--I think that it is so important that we support and honor our shipmates, and members of all other services, who have sacrificed much over the years. We are tied together outwardly by the uniforms we wear, and in spirit through the camaraderie and fellowship we enjoy on-campus with the Veterans Society and Army ROTC, and off-campus in support of active duty Coast Guard (and other sea services) missions at home and around the world.

We heard from our friends, Lance Zaal, President of the Veterans Society, and Deadre Henderson, who lost her brother several years ago in Iraq. Both, along with Joshua Lawton-Belous, offered moving words and fond memories. Also in attendance were Professor John Miller (Department of English), a Coast Guard Reservist who spoke at the event, and Professor Harvey Langholtz (Department of Psychology), a retired Coast Guard Commander. The event on Thursday proved to be both an uplifting coming-together and a somber remembrance of those that are no longer with us. I truly appreciated the support that our Detachment Members showed with their presence.