November 12, 2009 —
Community Service Day Projects Attracted Campus Volunteers
Students, faculty, and staff at the university’s main campus honored the nation’s veterans, including our country’s fallen heroes, at a thoughtful, expressive ceremony Wednesday in the Student Community Center.
Retired U.S. Army Major General John H. Little explained the Veterans Day holiday recognizes the endurance and sacrifice of those who serve, and their families. All generations of veterans deserve respect and gratitude for their service, he told the audience.
Little added that today’s all-volunteer military force reminds him of the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, who stepped forward in his nation’s moment of need. When the Lord asked, “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?' it was Isaiah responded: “Here am I! Send me.' That same level of commitment, along with contemporary military-service requirements of patience, versatility, and on-the-spot problem-solving skills in dangerous situations, make today’s U.S. armed forces distinctive in our military history, he said.
The ceremony also allowed the audience time to reflect and to pray, and to greet local residents and university community members who have served or are serving in the armed forces.
Following the ceremony and lunch, volunteers from the main campus dispersed for Community Service Day to work for a few hours at some 40 area non-profits and agencies in need of workers to help with special chores or ongoing projects.
Two service projects directly related to veterans were covered in local media. To read a story from the St. Petersburg (Pasco) Times about a work project at the Florida National Cemetery for veterans and their families,
click here.
To read a story from The Tampa (Pasco) Tribune about Saint Leo ROTC cadets and members of the Omega Delta Sigma veterans fraternity assembling care packages for active-duty service members abroad,
click here. Follow the instructions at the end of the story file and use the “keyword' phrase "care package" to pull up a gallery of related photos.