Last week’s Veteran’s Day ceremony, held under cloudy skies in the court between Johnson and Hardwick and Peabody Halls, was a moving tribute to the men and women who have served the nation through service in the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines or Coast Guard.

The event included an honor and color guard, guest speakers from each branch of the armed services and a complimentary lunch for all Temple student, staff and faculty veterans. As part of the program Dana Braccischi, Cadet Captain of Temple’s ROTC Red Diamond Battalion, placed a memorial wreath atop a plaque honoring six Temple alumni who killed in action during the Vietnam War. A colorful banner listed names of more than 600 men and women veterans from within the Temple community.

Following the ceremony, the veterans were offered a special lunch inside the Hardwick-Johnson dining hall. Temple faculty, staff and student military veterans were presented with a special certificate and challenge coin in honor of their service to the country.

Also on Veterans Day, Temple students helped prepare more than 100 care packages to be sent to a company of U.S. troops on active duty in Afghanistan. The care packages, which were sponsored by the Office of Student Activities, included essential personal items such as deodorant and mouthwash, as well as coffee packets and magazines. Students also wrote letters of encouragement and support to the troops to go along with the care packages.