Faculty, staff and students gathered at Rice University’s Memorial Chapel Nov. 11 to honor members of the university community who have served in the military. The gathering marked Rice’s 21st anniversary for the annual Veterans Day Ceremony, featuring performances, guest speakers and recognition for service.
The Mini MOB kicked off the commemoration with the fanfare “Tribute to the Armed Forces,” arranged by former Marching Owl Band director Ken Dye to include the armed forces’ theme songs in a spirited medley.
Joshua Hurt, a talent development specialist and Air Force veteran, emceed the ceremony and welcomed guests with an affirmation of Rice’s reverence for veterans.
“I would like to acknowledge and thank the university for its commitment to hire veterans like myself and many of you in the audience today,” Hurt said. “The positions held here by veterans include skilled trades, managers, lecturers, faculty and postdocs, among others. Rice currently employs over 135 veterans, and we continue our recruiting effort to bring more veterans to the university.”
Hurt also pointed out the POW/MIA Missing Man Table in the room, which is an empty table set for one and reserved to honor the missing service members. Colin Miller, a graduate student in the Shepherd School of Music, then performed the national anthem.
The ceremony continued with a passionate speech from Midshipmen 3rd Class Michaela Menka, a sophomore at Texas Southern University studying administration of justice, who spoke of her admiration for military members both during and after their service.
“Veterans Day is more than a day on the calendar; it is a reminder of the legacy of service that has protected and defined our nation from generation to generation,” Menka said. “Across times of war and peace, great individuals have stood up to answer the call of duty. They come from every background and walk of life, from small towns and large cities, from farms and factories.
“Let us remember that honoring our veterans goes beyond just words. It means ensuring that they have the support and resources they need to return home. It means taking action to help them transition to civilian life, offering opportunities and ensuring that the sacrifices they made are met with respect, understanding and gratitude. As a nation, we must remember that their service does not end when they take off the uniform and neither should our support.”
This year’s keynote speaker was retired Navy Capt. Chuck Hewell, who was commissioned as an ensign in the Navy through the Rice Naval ROTC program. He served 30 years as a naval officer before retiring in June 2002.
“The freedom and way of life that we enjoy today are earned by those who at one time in their lives stood tall, raised their right hand and clearly stated for all to hear, ‘I do solemnly swear, or affirm, that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same,’” Hewell said.
“I ask that we sit here this morning and that we consider the courage of raising the right hand and saying [the oath with] courage and a sense of duty to our great country.”
Per tradition, the ceremony honored a Rice employee who has served in the military. Kyle La Rue, copy center assistant from the Jones Graduate School of Business, was this year’s honoree. He joined the Marine Corps in 1989 and has worked for Rice for more than 20 years.
The ceremony concluded with Miller’s performance of “America the Beautiful” followed by a barbecue lunch and a photo booth for veterans in Kraft Hall.
To learn more about the services offered to service members and veterans at Rice, visit military.rice.edu.