April Houston, a senior public health major at The University of Texas at Arlington, found inspiration during a wreath-laying ceremony on Tuesday as the University honored those who have served in the nation's armed forces.
Houston, an Air Force reservist, said hearing the stories of sacrifice reinforced her commitment to carrying on the legacy of those who served before her.
"Just hearing stories about them and what they gave for their country really puts into perspective how much of a sacrifice they made and how willing they were to give back," Houston said. "Even though I can't necessarily speak for myself because I've only been in [the military] for about two and a half years and I haven't been active duty, I did answer the call for the Air Force. I wanted to serve my country."
Houston was among many in the UTA community who gathered to honor America's veterans at the Fraternity and Sorority Community Life Center. It was the first time the Office of Military and Veteran Services (MVS) held a wreath-laying ceremony on campus.
The idea came about after MVS staff and veteran students visited Washington, D.C., last spring and took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, established in 1921 as a final resting place for an unidentified World War I service member, serves as a site for mourning and reflection on military service.
Related: D.C. trip leaves lasting impact on UTA veterans
"That experience made a lasting impact and inspired us to bring something similar back to UTA," said Lance Sanders, UTA's MVS coordinator. "We wanted to create an opportunity for our campus community to come together, honor those who have served and reflect on the sacrifices made by our nation's veterans. More importantly, we wanted to establish a tradition that brings our students, faculty and staff together in a meaningful way as we recognize Veterans Day."
For Houston, the ceremony also highlighted the support UTA provides its more than 5,500 military-connected students.
The MVS office offers a range of programs, benefits and services for students. For example, the Veteran's Edge Peer Mentor Program is an initiative that pairs experienced student veterans with incoming military-connected students to provide guidance, support and community.
Related: From military service to student success at UTA
MVS also assists students with accessing educational benefits, supporting their health and well-being, and preparing for careers after graduation.
"I feel at home [at MVS]," Houston said. "Just seeing all of the different veterans, whether student veterans or staff veterans, being able to talk to them, listen to their stories, and listen to their advice when it comes to military service is really cool."
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 190 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation's top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 300,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.
