The 10th annual “Saluting Our Veterans” event provided a way for attendees to give thanks and support to American troupers as the nation celebrates all veterans on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
The event took place on Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Citrus College Mall walkway from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and was sponsored by Citrus College, Associated Students of Citrus College (ASCC), APU, the city of Glendora and the city of Azusa.
Steven O’Hara, a faculty member at Citrus College, gave the welcome speech at the event.
“It is always an honor to support our veterans,” O’Hara said.
Spc. Dr. Stuart Strother, a professor in APU’s School of Business and Management, was a 2015 Veteran Honoree of the event.
“My military service is so minor compared to many of my fellow servicemen, such as those who served in combat, and especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives,” Strother said.
APU ROTC presented the colors at the beginning of the event.
Colonel Rick Givens, chaplain for the U.S. Air Force Reserve and APU Director of Parent Relations, gave a salute to fallen veterans at the event. During his salute, Givens said, “We remember and acknowledge those who have made the ultimate sacrifice—fighting and dying for their country.”
Citrus College 2014 graduates Elizabeth Saucedo of the U.S. Army and Baron Cheng of the U.S. Marine Corps were the keynote speakers.
“[Saucedo and Cheng] emphasized how important their veteran families have been to them and how they continue to receive that support,” Givens said.
Both veterans graduated from Citrus College and are now full-time students at APU.
“I learned that one of the members of the Valley View Veterans group was 93 years old—served in WWII, the Korean War and in Vietnam,” said Givens, who has participated in the event for 10 years. “And we had a 99-year-old WWII Veteran, Marvin Schur, in the audience. I met him several years ago at this event and he continues to attend. This event is a highlight of the year for him.”
At the event, informational Army and Navy booths allowed attendees to explore college scholarships.
“[This event] is such a great partnership between APU and Citrus College, as we together honor the veterans from both our campuses,” Givens said.
Both APU and Citrus College have been named Military Friendly Schools by GI Jobs Magazine.
For anyone interested in more veteran events, the 15th annual APU Veterans Luncheon is on Wednesday, Nov. 11 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. in the LAPC room. APU alumnus Major Bill Ostan of the U.S. Army, JAG Corps and active-duty Army lawyer will be speaking in chapel and at the luncheon.