Bowie State Honored Service Members on Veterans Day

Lt. General R. Scott Dingle Delivered Keynote Address, Collins Family Honored during Program

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Jonathan Saxon, jsaxon@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-3607

(BOWIE, Md.) – Bowie State University honored active and former military members during an on-campus Veterans Day program on Nov. 10. Uniformed veterans gathered in the Student Center Ballroom to reflect on their service to the nation and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The program was anchored by a keynote speech from Lieutenant General R. Scott Dingle, the Surgeon General of the United States Army and Commanding General of the Army Medical Command. Dingle implored the audience to acknowledge the veterans they encounter in their lives and remember that their way of life is made possible because of veterans’ sacrifices.

“It means a lot that anyone outside of the military just says thank you,” he said. “We want to get out of school or get the holiday off work, but to truly pay homage to our veterans is a big deal.”

Dingle touched on the history of the federal holiday, which was originally observed as Armistice Day to celebrate the end of combat during World War I, before being renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to honor veterans from all major conflicts in the nation’s history. Despite that fact, Dingle said that civilians often silently walk by the veterans they encounter during their daily routine.

Dingle also acknowledged that he has been guilty of the same behavior. He shared a story about an encounter with Tuskegee Airman LeRoy Battle at Morgan State University. Dingle remarked that he would often see Battle at Morgan State events during the year, but he never really went out of his way to meet or talk with Battle, who often wore his retiree hat and the red jacket that signified his service as a Tuskegee Airman. But during one event, Battle invited Dingle to his table for a chat.

“He told us about the struggles he went through,” said Lt. Gen. Dingle. “He went on to say, ‘Scotty, I’m proud of you. Thank you for your service.’ I’m blown away. I’m able to serve in an integrated army because of the price he paid for us. I was humbled because I did not know what this veteran had done for me.”

After Dingle’s speech, the university also recognized Rick and Dawn Collins, the parents of Lt. Richard Collins III, the Bowie State ROTC cadet who was murdered by a white student on the University of Maryland’s campus in 2017. The Collins family was overwhelmed with emotion from the collective show of love and support for them and their late son during the program.

“It’s unexpected and creates a moment of reflection,” said Rick. Collins. “It’s emotional for my wife and I.”

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Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.